So are the event kits required for Science Olympiad? I’m starting a Science Olympiad team at my school and this all seems to be crazy expensive.
I’m looking at getting sponsors and the school will probably only fund a small part of it. Is it all really going to cost this much?
Sci Oly is awesome!
You do not have to buy the kits for any event, but many events have required materials that you need to bring. However, most of these items are things that your school probably already has (i.e. scientific calculators, wire for burn tests, magnifying glasses, etc.) or things you can take out of the library (books on rocks and minerals, guides on entomology, etc.). Here is a list of an old rules manual for an idea of what is needed for each event: http://ww2.d155.org/cg/tdirectory/awagner/Shared%20Documents/Science%20Olympiad/Packet%202015.pdf
BE CAREFUL THOUGH BECAUSE EACH YEAR THE SPECS CHANGE^
My school rarely buys kits for any event, and we came in 2nd at regionals this year and made it to states. You should be fine without them. Building events do require use of school materials or purchasing of other materials, though. Generally, the kits work better for glider events, but my team has had people win first and second without the kits.