Texas Tech University T-STEM Center
Texas Tech University T-STEM Center
TTU Home T-STEM Center South Plains Math & Science Competition Rules

Contest Rules

Eligibility

All students must compete within their grade division.

For example: Seventh graders must take the middle school math test and will be ranked against other seventh grade students.

Participation

All students participating in the competition must compete in one math contest, one science contest and the engineering design challenge.

Math and Science Contest Format

Math and science contests are individual events consisting of multiple-choice, timed exams. Each exam has 50 questions to be completed in 40 minutes.

About the Engineering Challenge

The engineering design challenge is an event unique to the South Plains Math & Science Competition.

Students are divided into mixed teams based on grade level. Teams will include students from different schools and districts.

The engineering challenge is based on real-world problems and emphasizes problem solving skills and science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) concepts. The timed contest includes a 30 minute project overview and a two-hour project work period.

All competition participants will compete in the engineering challenge.

Use of Calculators

Calculators may be used in all events. However, calculators will not be provided at the contest.

Any calculator may be used, provided that calculators with programmable memories have their memories cleared prior to each event. Any participant found using programs stored in their calculator's memory during an event will be disqualified from that event.

Scoring

Scoring for individual events will be based on the total number of correct answers provided on the answer sheet.

Scoring for the team engineering event will be based on an evaluation by a panel of judges according to the engineering design rubric.

Answer sheets will not be returned to participants following the contest.

Ties

In the event of a tie, the student with the most consecutive correct answers will be awarded the place.

Sweepstakes Divisions

Schools will compete for overall contest awards in either the high school division (grades 9-12) or the middle school/junior high school division (grades 6-8).

Competition sweepstakes awards will be awarded to the team with the most points. Points will be assigned based on ranking in the individual contests and the engineering design challenge.