What happens to a team that ignores their assigned topic during an experimental design?

When a team ignores their assigned topic during an experimental design, they face severe consequences, which typically include being disqualified from the competition and receiving a score of zero. Adhering to the assigned topic is crucial in competitions like Science Olympiad, as it ensures that all teams are evaluated based on their ability to work within specific parameters and guidelines. This rule promotes fairness and allows for a standardized assessment process.

Ignoring the assigned topic undermines the integrity of the competition and can give an unfair advantage to teams that comply. Thus, disqualification is enforced to maintain the level playing field that such competitive environments strive for. The strict penalty serves as a reminder to all teams about the importance of following guidelines and the consequences of not doing so.