Frequently Asked Questions:
What is Science Olympiad?
Science Olympiad is a national program that promotes S.T.E.M. in elementary through high school. Science Olympiad functions much like a sports team, requiring preparation, commitment, coaching and practice throughout the year.
What do students do?
Students decide what events they would like to participate in (usually 3-4). Students pair up and work together to get ready to participate in that event. This may include researching a topic, writing notes, practicing skills, and building devices.
What are the events?
There are 23 events each year. Some events are from the previous years, some are brand new. The events are on a 3-4 year rotation so that new and past events are being added, while older events are rotated out. The events cover many different disciplines of science, math, technology and engineering. Some events require students to build devices to test, some are arranged in a laboratory setting, and others are pen and paper tests of knowledge. Most events have students working in pairs, but a few events can be up to three students.
How do students prepare?
Students need to know their event rules like the back of their hand! They need to work with their partner(s) to prepare to be tested in the event areas. Most of the practice time is spent looking up information and studying the information with their partner, or working on building their device to test. As the coach, I act as the facilitator and mentor to the students. I help them find information and help decipher rules. The actual work is all down to the students!
What is the time commitment?
I hold practice one day a week after school (Thursday 3:05-4:15). Students are expected to be at each practice so that they can help their partner. I do make allowances for those who are playing sports and are involved in other activities at MCMS, provided the students talk with me. Each student is expected to attend each of the invitational tournaments. There are 2-3 tournaments each season, tournaments take an entire Saturday.
What are tournaments like?
Tournaments are like scientific track meets! All events run each hour for an hour for 5-6 hours. Students can test during any of those times, so its very self-scheduled. Once the event times are over, the tests/labs/device score sheets are ranked. An awards ceremony is held at the end of the tournament and awards are given out to the top performing student teams. I do expect students to attend the award ceremonies, last year I had several students who placed, but were not in attendance to receive their award.
Based on event placements, school teams place as well. The top 3 finishing schools come home with a plaque or trophy.
Based on event placements, school teams place as well. The top 3 finishing schools come home with a plaque or trophy.
What is the different between Invitational tournaments and the Regional/State tournaments?
According to the national Science Olympiad rules, a Science Olympiad team is made up of no more than 15 members and 1-2 alternates.
For Invitational Tournaments I can bring my entire team to compete. We compete as one large team, no matter how many students I have (last year I started out with 45!). All student teams compete for placements at these tournaments. So, ALL students get to participate for the first 3 meets, which are held on one Saturday in November, December, and January.
For the Regional Tournament, I must cut my team to the top 15 students. I weigh their attendance at practices and invitational tournaments, their commitment to their events and partners, and their placements at the three invitational tournaments. This is always a very tough decision! The rest of the team that doesn't make the top 15 spot will no longer need to attend practices. This group of 15 compete in the NE Kansas Regional Division tournament in February.
If our Regional team places well at the regional tournament, we may be invited to attend the State Tournament in Wichita in April. I have had the opportunity to take my team the past several years, and the prior coach took the team for several years before that. Our State Tournament will be the last tournament for the year. Students compete in the events against the other top teams in the state.
For Invitational Tournaments I can bring my entire team to compete. We compete as one large team, no matter how many students I have (last year I started out with 45!). All student teams compete for placements at these tournaments. So, ALL students get to participate for the first 3 meets, which are held on one Saturday in November, December, and January.
For the Regional Tournament, I must cut my team to the top 15 students. I weigh their attendance at practices and invitational tournaments, their commitment to their events and partners, and their placements at the three invitational tournaments. This is always a very tough decision! The rest of the team that doesn't make the top 15 spot will no longer need to attend practices. This group of 15 compete in the NE Kansas Regional Division tournament in February.
If our Regional team places well at the regional tournament, we may be invited to attend the State Tournament in Wichita in April. I have had the opportunity to take my team the past several years, and the prior coach took the team for several years before that. Our State Tournament will be the last tournament for the year. Students compete in the events against the other top teams in the state.