Transcript Louise Archer Science Olympiad Intro

Welcome to Science Olympiad
Parent Information Session
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Science Olympiad
Tools for Parents, Mentors, Coaches
and Teachers
New Opportunities for Students
What is Science Olympiad?
• An international
nonprofit organization
dedicated to:
• Improving the quality
of science education.
• Increasing student
interest in science and
science careers.
Students prepare to test for Bridge Building
competition.
Science Olympiad Events
• Students compete as individuals and as members of their
school team.
• Students prepare for competitions during the school year.
• Some Science Olympiad events are easily integrated into
current curriculum or serve well as an extracurricular
activity/club.
The Events
Students learn from failures as well as
successes.
Events represent the
various science disciplines
such as biology, earth
science, chemistry, physics,
computers, music and
technology.
~Paper/pencil Events
Example: Fossils
~Engineering/building
events
Example: Towers,
Junkyard Challenge
A Balanced Approach
Events require:
• Knowledge of science facts
• Concepts
• Processes
• Skills
• Science Applications
• Teamwork
• Creativity
Overall Goals
•
•
•
•
•
Capturing and retaining the
interest of students in science
and technology
Development of pride for
outstanding intellectual
performance
Enhancement of student selfesteem by giving a feeling of
belonging and accomplishment.
Enrichment of classroom
science programs
Strengthening of school spirit
Objectives
• To bring science to life, to show how science works, to
emphasize problem solving aspects of science and the
understanding of science concepts.
• To expose students to real-life challenges of working
with a team, group planning and cooperation
• To make science education more exciting so students
will enroll in science courses, programs, fairs, and clubs.
• To attract more students to careers in science,
technology and science teaching.
Science Olympiad in
Virginia
• Science Olympiad is an
evolving program in
Virginia with tremendous
growth in the last couple
of years.
• Each school can send up
to three teams to the
regional tournament.
Each team consists of 15
members.
Students prepare to fly their balsa wood and
rice paper airplanes.
• Each school will send one
team of to the state
tournament.
Science Olympiad Programs
• K-5: Science Olympiad
Division A (competitive)
• 6-8: Science Olympiad
Division B Events
(competitive)
• 9-12: Science Olympiad
Division C Events
(competitive)
Technical Writing
Getting Started
•
Register for the program. Please note,
that parents MUST commit to being a
coach for an event.
•
Parents attend the orientation session to
get a description of events for this year.
•
Parents share the event descriptions
with their child and determine areas of
interest.
•
Students should be willing to take on 34 events. In some cases, students
might end up with only 2 and in other
cases they can have as many as 4 – 5
events. It all depends on the matrix of
events and conflicts.
•
Learn the events and rules.
•
Start planning the plan of study for your
events.
•
Practice the Events.
The smiles of Winners.
The Competitions
• Regional - held on Saturday in
January/February
• State – held in March
• All day events
• Awards Ceremony
Future scientists study an unknown
substance at the Science Olympiad.
• Learning Experiences
• Fun!
When to prepare for
Science Olympiad?
• Set up as an after school
activity and block off the
time.
• Special weekend time
with parent/coach
Students ready their bridge for
structural testing.
• Take advantage of
sessions at school
Science Olympiad is out of this
world!