Contest Rules
Eligibility
- Student is currently in 6th-12th grade.
- Student is not older than 19 years of age on September 1 of the current school year.
- 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
- Maximum of 300 students allowed for the competition.
- Middle School participation for each school is limited to 20 students.
- High School participation for each school is limited to 20 students.
- 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 40 questions to be completed in 45 minutes.
- Students can compete only in courses or grade level contest in which they are currently enrolled or in which they have received transcript credit for during the current school year.
- Algebra I and Integrated Physics & Chemistry (IPC) will be offered separately at both the middle school and high school level.
- Students who received transcript credit for Calculus during the previous school year are only eligible to participate in a Comprehensive math test in addition to a science test.
- Each student must stay in the testing area for the duration of the test.
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 levels. Teams will include students from different schools. Teams will be assigned at the competition.
- 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 15 minute project overview and a three-hour project work period.
- All competition participants will compete in the engineering challenge.
Use of Calculators
- Students taking 6th, 7th, and 8th grade math MAY NOT use calculators.
- High School students must bring their own calculator with them to the competition.
- Calculators will not be provided at the competition
- Click here for a list of acceptable calculators that may be used.
- Any participant found using illegal calculators will be disqualified.
Restricted Items
- Periodic tables will not be allowed during the science test.
- No scratch paper allowed - you may use the test paper.
- No electronic devices allowed at the competition (i.e., cell phones, iPods, etc.).
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.
Things to Remember
- Bring your own sharpened #2 pencil
- Bring your own calculator (High School Only)
- No periodic tables allowed
- No scratch paper allowed
- No electronic devices allowed (cell phone, iPod)
Dates to Remember
- October 30, 2009
Registration Deadline
- November 2, 2009
Additions, deletions, changes to Jana Winter | 806-742-3451 ext. 276
- November 3, 2009
Waiting List Notifications
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