Potions and Poisons

Welcome to Potions & Poisons! 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.

The information below should not be interpreted as an extension of the rules. You can find free online copies of the current rules for download on the 2026 Rules page of the Science Olympiad website. The official rules in the current Rules Manual take precedence. 

Resources & Links 2026

• New - '26 Div B Chemistry Lab Equipment List
• New - '26 Sample Activity
• Core Lab Expectations/Competencies
• PhET Chemistry Simulations

SO STORE & WARD'S SCIENCE MATERIALS

• Updated - Potions & Poisons Starter Pack
• Updated - Chemistry & Physics Starter Stack
• Potions & Poisons Ward's Science Kits

PRACTICE PROBLEMS & TESTS

• Practice Test - 2026 BullSO Invitational
• Practice Test - 2026 Berkeley Invitational
• Practice Test - 2026 Pembroke Hill Invitational
• Practice Test - 2025 Bulls SO Invitational
• Practice Test - 2025 Purdue Invitational
• Practice Test - 2025 USC Invitational
• Practice Test - 2025 UT Austin Invitational
• Practice Test - 2025 Mason High School Invitational 

EVENT SUPERVISOR RESOURCES 

In addition to the resources on the Event Supervisors page, Potions & Poisons Event Supervisors should be sure to use the following resources:

• Event Logistics Resource

CAREER CONNECTIONS

• US Bureau of Labor Statistics - Chemists & Materials Scientists
• US Bureau of Labor Statistics - Chemical Technicians
• CareerOneStop - Chemical Engineers Career Video
• Nursing Careers - Poison Information Specialist
• How do Analytical Chemists Help Our World? (with Thermo Fisher Scientist, Kristina Rucker)