Texas Tech University T-STEM Center
Texas Tech University T-STEM Center
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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.