If you like biology, you may consider the events Anatomy & Physiology, Green Generation, Water Quality, Heredity, Disease Detectives, Ornithology, Bio Process Lab, Awesome Aquifer, and many more. Remember, not all of these events may be available due to your school or the year. If you prefer physics events, you may consider the events Circuits Lab, Machines, Density Lab, and many more. If you like engineering and hands-on events, consider Wright Stuff, Mousetrap Vehicle, Helicopters, Ping-Pong Parachute, Electric Wright Stuff, Bio Process Lab, Storm the Castle, and many more. Earth science events include Meteorology, Dynamic Planet, Reach for the Stars, Fossils, Food Science, and many more.
Prepare for study events by making a binder. Your binder should include your notes, charts, and diagrams. Use flashcards to help you remember names of muscles and bones. You can also use school textbooks to help you study. Not all events allow you to use a binder. Events such as ornithology uses one, but events such as anatomy & physiology has requirements for it. However, when preparing, you can use as much note sheets you want, but be sure not to during the competition! Put extra time into studying charts and diagrams since a lot of the questions on the tests pertain to charts, like the skeletal or muscular system. Study their corresponding names and numbers. Buy test packets and field guides. Purchase test packets depending on which division you are in. Test packets include tailored exercises for each event and division. For example, if you are in Division C and will be participating in a physical life sciences event, buy the Division C test packet for the life sciences. [3] X Research source
Prepare for a building event by reading the rules and specifications for your model. Memorize the rules and hold study sessions where you quiz yourself and your teammates on the rules. Practice building beforehand. Don’t expect to build something wonderful if you haven’t tried to build anything before. Plan out your design before building it. Once your design is built, hold multiple testing sessions in order to see how your model functions. Make sure both you and your partner are present during testing sessions. Also, record any adjustments you make in a log so you can gauge what effect the adjustment had on your model. [4] X Research source Use materials that are sturdy and straight, like metal and wood, so they will not bend during competition time. You also want your model to be flexible and not rigid. This means refraining from using too much glue; use screws and fasteners (if weight restrictions do not apply) to hold your model together. [5] X Research source
For instance, 1 student can measure powders or solutions and perform the chemical reactions, while another student can focus on answering the corresponding questions or doing the lab write-up.
The handbook will advise you on what materials to bring, like goggles or a lab coat, as well as what materials you cannot bring. Many events don’t allow a graphing calculator.
Learn to trust your partner’s skills by practicing with them regularly. By practicing with each other, you will be able to assess each of your strengths and weaknesses. Adjust your partnership relative to you and your partner’s strengths and weaknesses. For example, if one of you excels at identifying muscle groups, while the other excels at writing, adjust your partnership accordingly. If your partner doesn’t study, tell a coach. You don’t want to be dragging them around; it isn’t fair for you. Practice with sample questions from your test packets, field guides, and training guides.
Try to get as much information as possible on a page by reducing the size of images. Or, type up your notes in small font (but not so small that you cannot read it), and then write extra notes in the margins. Include things in your notes that you have trouble memorizing. Color code important information so you can access it quickly. Keep the colors of your codes consistent so that you will be able to associate a color with a particular piece of information. For example, color code muscles pink, the respiratory system blue, and the endocrine system red. [10] X Research source
You might want to bring items like glue, tape, toothpicks, clay, paint, paper, and markers.
