MSO and Common Core A natural integration!

2013 MSTA Annual Convention Jackson, MS Oct. 28, 2013 Dr. Sheila Hendry Director, Mississippi Science Olympiad Use Science Olympiad activities to address Common Core requirements, from effective communication to collaboration.

The Science Olympiad is an international nonprofit organization devoted to: improving the quality of science education, increasing student interest in science, and providing recognition for outstanding achievement in science education by both students and teachers. Science Olympiad Established by Dr. Gerard Putz and Jack Cairns in 1984

Science Olympiad Tournament Science Olympiad is a competition for middle and high school students. Division B – Grades 6-9 Division C – Grades 9-12 Competition utilizes an inquiry approach to learning, engaging students in hands-on Physics, Chemistry, Earth & Space Science, Biology, and Engineering.

Division B (Grades 6-9) Division C (Grades 9-12) Students compete as 2 person teams in 23 events (in each division) from 5 categories: Life, Personal & Social Science, Physical Science & Chemistry, Earth & Space Science, Technology & Engineering, and Inquiry & Nature of Science.

Consider this… Want to meet Common Core requirements, but not sure you want to start a team?

Science Olympiad A Balanced Approach Events require: Knowledge of science facts & concepts Process skills Science applications Teamwork Creativity

Common Core involves these same things! Knowledge of facts & concepts Process skills Applications Teamwork Creativity Take a look at how English Language Arts Standards, Math Standards, and Science Standards overlap:

Common Core Standards Venn Diagram /

You can involve a variety of students in Science Olympiad.

SO events involve creativity, modeling, communication, collaboration, and other skills emphasized by Common Core standards.

Example Event: Metric Mastery

Teams will be given objects and data sheets. Part 1: Teams will estimate mass, length, width, height, area, and/or volume of objects. Part 2: After receiving devices, teams measure to determine actual mass, length, width, or height of objects. Area and/or Volume will be calculated. Part 3: Teams will complete metric unit conversions. Hint: a standard paper clip is 2.73 mm in length

To find activities you can do in your classroom, check out the Science Olympiad website: Lots of resources are free, while others can be purchased at the SO store.

Team Make-up Each team consists of up to 15 students from the same school. For Division B, only five (5) ninth-graders and for Division C, only seven (7) twelfth-graders are allowed. However, middle schools may invite five of their last year's eighth grade students to be part of the team. Ninth-grade students can compete at only one level. Think about having a Mississippi Science Olympiad team at your school.

Regionals Beginning in the school year, each team must participate in a regional competition. See the MSO website for details about dates, locations, and tentative events:  The top 20 teams from each division will be invited to compete in the state tournament.  No more than 2 teams from each school will be allowed to participate at the state level. However, those 2 teams can be made up of any combination of students from all teams.

Mississippi Science Olympiad State Tournament Events A list of this year’s events and their brief descriptions are listed on the MS Science Olympiad website: Additional information, including resources and frequently asked questions, can be found at the National Science Olympiad website:

Registration Information for the Mississippi Science Olympiad The state competition is usually scheduled for the last Friday of March at the University of Southern Mississippi. This year, it is set for March 28, On-time registration is due by December 15. The late registration deadline is December 31. Upon receipt of registration form, each team will receive a copy of the Rules Manual for their division.

Mississippi Science Olympiad If you have any questions about the MSO, please feel free to contact: Sheila Hendry (601) Hope to see you and your team at the tournament!