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Elementary Science Olympiad (ESO)

The Science Olympiad is a great way for students to build confidence, collaborate with peers, and develop a love for STEM learning. Students will explore scientific concepts through hands-on activities, experiments, and friendly competitions that promote teamwork and creativity. ESO is a team-based, hands-on science experience where students engage in collaborative STEM events by applying scientific thinking, engineering design, and problem-solving.

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We look forward to an exciting year of discovery and learning!

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Sincerely,
Faria Science Club Team

Natural Skincare Essentials

Eligible Grades - 3rd to 5th

  • We are restricting it to Grades 3-5​

  • Lower grades caveat - if team leaders feel a particular kid is not ready after 1-2 sessions, parents should be ready to back out. There will be opportunities every year and can come back when the kid is ready.

Registration

Details will be shared by MESO soon and we will relay it

Please join our whatsapp group for any further communication:

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https://chat.whatsapp.com/BeyW40Jh9ws8UnsfS53bxv

When

Upto 2 single-day events (March and May). 

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[March] Science gurus

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[May] MESO hosted by Milpitas High School

📚 Types of Events

 

ESO events typically fall into three broad categories:

• Study/Identification: students prepare content ahead of time, then take a quiz or ID test.

• Lab: students perform experiments or tasks during the competition.

• Build: teams design/build a device before the event and bring it with them.  

 

👥 Team Structure

• Teams usually consist of several students working in pairs or small groups for events.

• Some competitions require 2+ students per event; others allow individuals for certain tasks.  

 

🏆 Scoring & Rules

• Most events are ranked (1st place = top score, then 2nd, etc.) and combined for a team score.

• Requirements and exact tasks vary by local tournament — coaches usually receive a rules manual with detailed guidelines before competition.  

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📌 Tips for Finding Event Rules

 

Because ESO events change each year and local organizers choose which events to run:

• Ask your coach for the official Elementary Science Olympiad rules manual (it has exact requirements and materials).

• Event manuals are released each season and include diagrams, materials lists, time limits, and scoring.  

Preparation

Milpitas Elementary Science Olympiad Rule Book 2025-2026​

2024-2025 MESO Event List and Rulebook

​​🧪 Typical Elementary Science Olympiad Events & Descriptions​

🧬 Identification / Content Knowledge Events​

These are usually study-based — students prepare before competition and then identify items or answer questions. 1. Entomology Students identify insects and immature forms (like larvae) by order/family, answer questions about insect anatomy and ecology, and may use or create a dichotomous key to classify specimens.   2. Solar System / Astronomy Teams show their knowledge of the solar system, planets, and other celestial bodies. This may include worksheets or quizzes about orbit, planet characteristics, and space science.   3. Metric Mastery Teams estimate and measure real objects (mass, length, volume, time, etc.) using rulers, balances, and measuring tools. Emphasis is on accuracy and understanding metric units.  

🔬 Lab & Hands-On Problem-Solving Events​

In these events, students perform scientific tasks or solve problems during the competition. 1. Mousetrap Car Teams design and build a vehicle powered only by a mousetrap. Cars are tested for distance accuracy or speed by release from a starting line.   2. Pasta Tower / Structures Teams use provided materials (like spaghetti and tape) to build a tower that must support a weight without collapsing. Points awarded for height and stability.   3. Write It, Do It One student writes a written description of how to build or assemble a structure; the partner then builds it based only on those directions. Judges evaluate accuracy of the build vs. the original object.  

🚀 Engineering & Design Challenges

Students design and bring devices they built before competition. 1. Aerodynamics / Paper Airplane Teams build a paper airplane to fly a minimum distance or hit a target. This tests wing design and flight principles.   2. Straw Tower / Structures Build the tallest, strongest tower using specific materials like straws, connectors, or blocks; towers are tested with weights.   3. Water Rocket / Propulsion Devices Teams build rockets or propulsion devices that fly (by water/pump, rubber band, etc.), then compete for height, time aloft, or distance.

🔍 Mixed & Miscellaneous Events

1. Pond Study / Ecology Students examine pond samples to identify organisms and interpret food webs, ecosystem relationships, or habitats.   2. Sink or Float / States of Matter Participants predict or test whether objects float or sink and explain results using concepts of density.   3. Simple Machines / Reflection Relay Hands-on activities that show understanding of basic physics concepts, such as pulleys, levers, or light reflection using mirrors.   4.⁠ ⁠Science Bowl / Science Jeopardy Quiz-style events where teams answer science questions in a rapid format; may include tournament brackets or buzzer rounds.  

FAQ

  1. What should I do to get started ? Familiarize yourself with this booklet first.
     

  2. How many events will we have?

    1. Upto 2 single-day events (March and May). 

    2. [March] Science gurus

    3. [May] MESO hosted by Milpitas High School
       

  3. When is Registration? Details will be shared by MESO soon and we will relay it
     

  4. How many teams and what is the team size?

    1. Each team needs 15 kids

    2. The number of teams depends on how many parents show interest. We will have at least 1 team
       

  5. What is the parent commitment?

    1. Each team needs 2 parent leads - This is mandatory

    2. Every parent needs to be involved. It’s not a drop off - This mandatory

    3. Please be open-minded and adaptable. Faria is doing this for the first time and we are all in this together.
       

  6. What is the time commitment?

    1. Team leads will meet with the team once a week on zoom or in-person. Expect 1-2hrs per week.

    2. Frequency may adapt as we get closer to the 2 events

    3. Caveat: If your kid is involved in other similar contests like Tech Challenge, FLL/VEX, please seriously consider focussing on one. Each will have reasonable time commitment and you may end up dropping one of them, which is unfair to the child and the teammates.
       

  7. What if a kid drops off?

    1. Team lead has to ask around and find a replacement

    2. If there are too many drop outs, we will have to merge teams or decomission
       

  8. What is the eligibility?

    1. We are restricting it to Grades 3-5

    2. Lower grades caveat - if team leaders feel a particular kid is not ready after 1-2 sessions, parents should be ready to back out. There will be opportunities every year and can come back when the kid is ready.
       

  9. Any incentives?

    1. There are no prizes/medals. The goal is for kids to learn and enjoy.

    2. This can prepare kids for the Middle school science olympiad offered in some CUSD middle schools. 

    3. We may consider participation certificates
       

  10. Any Whatsapp group?

    1. Initial co-ordination in Science club group https://chat.whatsapp.com/BeyW40Jh9ws8UnsfS53bxv

    2. Later we will create 1 group per team

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