Potions & Poisons

Division: Div B – Middle School

NC Essential Standards Alignment: 6.P.2, 8.P.1, Science as Inquiry

Event Rules: See the National Rule Manual

National Event Page: Here

Description:

This event is about chemical properties and effects of specified toxic and therapeutic chemical substances, with a focus on household and environmental toxins or poisons.  It will be part lab and part written test.

Materials:

Each participant must bring safety equipment and a writing implement and may bring a calculator.  Each participant may bring one 8.5” x 11” sheet of paper, in a protector or laminated, with information on both sides in any form and from any source. Each team may bring any or all of the items listed as Recommended Lab Equipment for Division B Chemistry Events, posted on soinc.org. Teams not bringing these items will be at a disadvantage.

Participants must bring and wear goggles, an apron or a lab coat, and have skin covered from the neck down to the wrist and toes. Gloves are optional; but if a host requires a specific type, they must notify teams. Shoulder length hair or longer must be tied back. Participants who unsafely remove their safety clothing/goggles or are observed handling any of the material or equipment in an unsafe manner will be penalized or disqualified from the event.

Scoring:

High score wins. Test questions are worth 60%, lab questions are worth 40% of the overall grade.

Common Mistakes:

– Be sure to follow all safety requirements! Safety issues will NOT be arbitrated.

– Event leaders will not answer questions on testing procedures.  Event leaders WILL answer safety questions, and stop students from performing a test in an unsafe manner.

Event Resources:

Potions and Poisons 2018 Coaches Clinic Presentation (2019 rules)
Coaches Clinic Presentation
https://scioly.org/wiki/index.php/Potions_and_Poisons

Chromatography:
Intro to Chromatography
Tutorial on Interpreting Mass Spectra
Basic info Mass spectroscopy