1. Science Olympiad

2. What is Science Olympiad
Science Olympiad is a large team event that combines both knowledge and hands on work in competition format.
Teams of several members split up various activities, working in pairs to prepare for the competition day.
There are two main types of activities: theory and build.

3. Theory Events
“Theory” events can be thought of as tests in specific subjects. Teams study the subject through the course of few months in preparation for the actual test on C-day
Students study material in a specific category, such as anatomy or marine biology
On competition day, they take a test assessing their knowledge

4. Build Events
Build events are where students build objects (i.e., a rubber band catapult or a balsa wood tower) under guidelines for specific purposes. Most of these will have Impound rules.
These objects are then tested and judged against other teams' creations.
Build events place a higher emphasis on hands-on skills

6. Goals
To create a passion for learning science by supporting Science Olympiad tournaments with an emphasis on teamwork and a commitment to excellence.
To improve the quality of K-12 science education throughout the nation by changing the way science is perceived and the way it is taught by making science more hands-on.

7. Goals (cont)
To develop teamwork and cooperative learning strategies among students.
To make science education more exciting so more students will enroll in science courses and engage in other science activities like science reading, fairs, meetings and field trips.

8. Bay Area Elem. Sci. Olympiad
Started in 2008 with 3 teams in Challenger School
Expanded to include several teams from all over the Bay Area
Building block for Middle School Science Olympiad
Science Olympiad at the Elementary School level is non-advancing

9. Elem. S. O. Requirements There are 11 events in the competition
A team with a maximum of 8 members--all must be between 4th and 6th grade from the same school
A team can have fewer members (not less than 6) but it is a disadvantage, as the team may not be able to compete in all the events and thus cannot score as high

10. Requirements (cont)
There needs to be a head coach for the team, and the parents act as coaches for individual events.
Like a lot of other activities, Science Olympiad is heavily volunteer based, so each child's parents will coach 1 or 2 activities. Coaches are requested to be hands-off and students are required to be hands-on

12. Next Steps Form a team of 8 students (4th-6th grade)
Elect a head coach
Register the team with Bay Area Elem. Sci. Olympiad
Registration open from Dec. 1-Jan.31 of the school year
Registration fees will be around $160 per team (subject to change)
Event schedule will be available on the website when registration opens
Get the event descriptions and rules
Assign students to events and start working

13. Cont’d
Each member to participate in atleast 1 theory and 1 build event
Entire team participates in Pentathlon
Placement given in each event which decides the overall placement of the team
Medals awarded to individual event winners
Trophies awarded to top 3 places

14. Sample Events A for Anatomy Energy Box Disease Detectives Can Race
Road Scholar Balsa Bridge
Reach For the Stars Write It Build It
Science Jeopardy Pentathlon
Note: The list of events for each year will be posted on the website. This is just a sample.

15. More Information
Visit  to learn about Elementary Science Olympiad in the Bay Area.
FAQ tab and past years info available on the webesite
For more information on Bay Area ESO, send to