SCIENCE OLYMPIAD A TEAM approach towards science education

SCIENCE OLYMPIAD

A TEAM approach towards science education � Each team can have up to 15 members �(Schools can have multiple teams) � Students work on events in pairs �Some events involve 3 students � There are 23 events covered in six hours of competition

Events cover a broad range of topics � Life, Personal & Social Science � Earth & Space Science � Physical Science & Chemistry � Technology & Engineering � Inquiry & Nature of Science

… and skills Build events – students build a structure to solve a problem, take it into the tournament and test it against other students’ solutions � Study events – students prepare for a test much like a classroom paper-and-pencil test, often with an additional hands-on component � Practice events – students practice with possible problems or laboratories, then use your wits at the competition when you get the real problem �

Sample Events Egg-O-Naut building

Sample Events Protein Modeling building - study

Sample Events Chemistry Lab practice study -

Sample Events Optics practice study -

Competitions � Elementary (only in SW WA grades 3 -5) � Middle School or Jr. High (grades 6 -9) � High School (grades 9 -12) � Levels �Invitationals – informal, practice, learning �Regionals – 4 regionals in WA �State – top regional teams go to state �National – Only top B and C teams advance

Participation 2011 � National SO – 27 years � 6200 teams in all 50 states � Washington SO – 25 years � 44 B division teams � 66 C division teams � Clark County Elementary SO – 3 years � 20 teams from 18 schools

Elementary SO - HUGELY popular in Clark County

Students learning from students � High/middle students school students help ESO

Advantages of SO � Team work �Teams form social networks �Cross class communications �Students teaching students � Broad range of topics and skills �To fill gaps in events, students often are forced out of their comfort zones and discover new talents. � Competition at increasing levels �Traditional rivalries develop as in sports � Coaching vs. Teaching

School/Team Needs � School Coach �HUGE commitment of time �Handles all the district paperwork �Learns to be a coach, not a teacher � Event Coaching �Help with specific events � Fundraising, coordinating food & travel � To be competitive at state level team will need ~$2, 500 per year.

How Can You Help? � Adopt a School �Coach events, fundraise, organize � Assist at tournaments �Run an event �Score/Proctor � Participate on Regional/State Board �Help organize tournaments �Fundraise �Develop policies