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 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 Students learn from failures as well as successes.

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 self- esteem 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. Each school will send one team of to the state tournament. Students prepare to fly their balsa wood and rice paper airplanes.

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 3- 4 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 Learning Experiences Fun! Future scientists study an unknown substance at the Science Olympiad.

When to prepare for Science Olympiad? Set up as an after school activity and block off the time. Special weekend time with parent/coach Take advantage of sessions at school Students ready their bridge for structural testing.

Science Olympiad is out of this world!