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At our states, they asked us what was the dominant soil type in New York, but idk how they could do that at nationals, unless there is one dominant soil type across the country? idk I wouldn't worry about it

Cpeterson wrote:So, I get to do this event at Nationals with no experience because my state doesn't have it as an event. I was wondering if we have to know about alfisols and ultisols and other types of soil. I hope not, because they are confusing.

Actually, there's been at least one question on that stuff- it's the USDA soil taxonomy- on every event I've done. Questions like, "What classification of soil is the most fertile?"
Now, that's different from what they asked at NY States; when they asked the dominant soil type, the choices were things like aquic, xeric, etc. Those are just jargon adjectives that have little to do with the USDA taxonomy; the prefix "xer-" just means dry (if I'm not mistaken). Obviously they couldn't ask a question exactly like that at Nats, since they couldn't ask you for a country-wide dominant soil type, but they could ask more general questions like, "What is the dominant soil class above 66.5 N latitude?"- because in the polar regions, the dominant soil class is gelisols, the ones with the permafrost.

In short, yes, you do have to know about them. Sorry.

I think that it is an awesome event. Our team is going to nationals and I am in that event. It was good at regionals, however, the test sucked at state. I am excited to go to nationals and see if the test is good!

I was also surprised because at my state competion, they didn't ask a single question about soil taxonomy, but i have it on my notes anyway. Who knows what the national test will have. Go to the official site and print out a practice test. It was very easy. Also, my coach for that event has a list of the possible ideas that could be on the test like what you can prepare for. If you look hard enough, you might find it on the science olypiad website.

Now, that's different from what they asked at NY States; when they asked the dominant soil type of the state

I've had that type of question happen in a bunch of events at states, especially ecology and this event, but I'm sure, but I doubt it will be on nats, as previously suggested

what kind of labs have y'all had to do?

Test some liquid (they gave us instructions) and then there was a written test where they asked about the important nutrients in soil, ashing, digesting and other stuff that I don't remember. Also, take a look at the other posts on the pages before.

my state test was so easy. it was only like 7 questions.

our state test gave us a bag of soil and had us test for n, p, k, and pH (it gave us instructions)

oh... and we had a written test to go along with the experiment, what we would add to the soil, which components are deficient, and a section on general stuff i.e. list two organic fertilizers and what the provide... that really sums it up

all the tests I took at state I ended up finishing early except ctw. environmental chemistry took only 25 minutes