Floris PTA Presents the Annual Virginia Science Olympiad (VASO) Competition!

 

The VASO Division “A” competition is open to Floris 3rd-5th graders**. VASO is our local chapter of the national Science Olympiad event. Floris’ budding scientists learn to work in a collaborative format to create and solve fun and exciting science and engineering projects. Floris’ VASO teams performed well last year, and we are looking forward to building on that success!

We strongly recommend you thoroughly read through the rules and information below before registering your 3rd - 5th grader. The registration form link is at the bottom of this page. 

 

Important Rules Before Registering for VASO

​

1️⃣ Event Dates & Availability
Please ensure your child is available to participate in the Virginia Science Olympiad (VASO) on one of the dates listed below.
We will not know the exact date and time slot for Floris students until registration is complete and VASO confirms our participation schedule.

While April 18, 2026 has been submitted as our first preference, it is not guaranteed until VASO provides final confirmation.

📍 Oakton AM – April 18, 2026 – 2900 Sutton Road, Vienna, VA 22181
📍 Oakton PM – April 18, 2026 – 2900 Sutton Road, Vienna, VA 22181
📍 Lake Braddock AM – April 25, 2026 – 9200 Burke Lake Road, Burke, VA 22015
📍 Lake Braddock PM – April 25, 2026 – 9200 Burke Lake Road, Burke, VA 22015

​

2️⃣ Partner Selection
Floris encourages each student to select a preferred partner, as compatibility between students greatly enhances success in events.
If a student is unable to find a partner, Floris will try to match them with another student who has similar event interests.
Please note: Matching is not guaranteed if event preferences do not align.

​

3️⃣ Registration Limit
The first 45 student registrations will receive priority in forming teams and registering for events.
Registration will close once the desired number of participants is reached.

​

4️⃣ Coaching Responsibility
Parents are responsible for coaching their child and partner(s) for the events in which they are registered.
Floris will not provide event coaching.

​

5️⃣ Schedule Confirmation
Floris will share the confirmed date and time slot for our Division A participation as soon as the information is available from VASO.

​

6️⃣ Event Rules
Before selecting preferred events, please review the official rules manual for each event.
It is the coach’s responsibility to fully understand and follow all event rules during preparation.

🔗 VASO Division A Rules Manual

​

7️⃣ Parent Volunteers
Parent volunteers are essential for Floris to participate on competition day.
If the required number of volunteers (as mandated by VASO and Floris) is not met, Floris’ participation in the Olympiad cannot be confirmed.

 

Important Rules Before Selecting Events

​

1️⃣ Submitting Preferred Events
Submitting at least one preferred event is mandatory.

🔗 Link to all events: VASO Division A Events

​

2️⃣ Event Selection Finalization
Once you select and submit your preferred events, Floris will use this information to form teams and complete registration.
Please note that event selections cannot be changed later — the choices submitted now are final.

​

3️⃣ Partner Coordination
If you have selected a preferred partner, both students must select the same events in the same order to avoid any conflicts during team formation.

​

4️⃣ Number of Events
According to VASO rules, each student may participate in up to three events, though it is not mandatory to do all three.
Submitting multiple event preferences does not guarantee participation in all of them.
Based on scheduling and event conflicts, a student may be assigned to one or two events.
If your child wishes to participate in only one or two events, please select “None” for the remaining preference questions.

​

5️⃣ Team Placement
Event preferences will be carefully considered when forming teams.
If we are unable to place a student in their first-choice event, please understand that Floris has made every effort to accommodate preferences, but some factors (such as team balance and event limits) are beyond our control.

​

6️⃣ Partners per Event
Students may choose different partners for different events.
Please list the first and last names of partners for each event as applicable.

​

7️⃣ Event Assignment Notification
Floris will notify families of final event assignments as soon as this information becomes available.
We anticipate updates by late February or early March.

👥 Selecting Preferred Partners
If you are unable to find a partner, Floris will try to match your child with another student who has similar event interests.
However, matching is not guaranteed as it depends on available participants.
Please note: these are team events, and having a partner is required to participate.
For events that require more than one partner, list all partners’ first and last names, separated by commas.

​

8️⃣ Grade-Level Eligibility
Events marked as “3rd Grade Only” are restricted to 3rd-grade students.
Students in 4th and 5th grade cannot participate in "3rd Grade Only" events.
However, 3rd-grade students are eligible to participate in any event on the list.
Please note that participating in higher-grade events does not provide any leniency in scoring or expectations.

 

REGISTER HERE → LINK TO FORM