1. RLC PTO Science Olympiad fall 2018 Parent Information Session
Welcome to
RLC PTO Science Olympiad fall 2018
Parent Information Session

2. What is VASO – Division A
It is a sister organization to the Virginia Science Olympiad (VASO)
A friendly competition designed for 3-5 grade students to experience STEM
This is an introduction to middle school (Division B) and high-school (Division C) Science Olympiad programs 

3. School Team Structure
A team is defined as a group of students residing within the same school attendance zone and from the same school
Teams may not be comprised of students from different schools that attend the same after school activity
A team may be any number of students up to a total of 45 students.
Students in grades 3-5 are eligible to participate in division A. Smaller groups within a team may HAVE students from MIXED grade levels or same grade level.
VASO writeS and runS THEIR own competition based on and mirroring, if possible the Science Olympiad competition
No relation to National or State level competitions

4. VASO Important Dates september 6 VASO Student registration opens
september 15 VASO STUDENT REGISTRATION ENDS
September 30 volunteer roster finalized
October 1 RLC ASSIGNED event tests turned in for review and editing
October 1 Team roster due
October 13/27 tournament date
*All dates are subject to change

5. Science Olympiad 2018 Events 3 Categories
EVENT TYPE
NUMBER OF EVENTS
TEAMS
EXAMPLE
Building Events
6 Events
Maximum Number of Participants per event per School = 6 (3 Groups of 2 students)
Balloon Car - Teams will build a simple air powered car using provided materials to travel a specified distance within a specified area.
Testing Events
10 Events
Anatomy - Teams will demonstrate their understanding of the Cardiovascular system. This event has a written test and may/may not include “hands-on” stations.
Multiple Student Events
4 Events
Maximum Number of Participants per event per School = 6 to 10 (Groups of 2 students/ 3 students / 5 students)
Pentathlon - Five physical skills are interspersed with science questions in an obstacle course that will be run in a relay race style where each student passes the baton or tags the next student. A sixth physical skill and science question may be performed by the group

6. Tournament Schedule VASO tournament is ALL day long
Tournament schedule assumes that there will be 25 schools registering
Teams will be able to sign-up for a time to compete in Pentathlon and all tech events, once the tournament schedule is published.
All students and coaches will receive wrist bands. Students will need to show these bands at each event.

7. Awards and scoring
Division-a does not have any team awards. This allows students the flexibility of trying events, without the pressure of filling all events for a good team score.
The top 8 performing pairs of students in each event earn medals.
Scoring varies by events. Each event description explains criteria used for scoring that event.
There are also individual impact awards for students that, in the mind of an Event Supervisor, have shown the most Olympic spirit.

8. Sample Schedule

9. Volunteer & mentor If assigned an event, Each school will provide
2 Event Supervisor that will write the event test and run the event, and
at least 3 adults to help with the event where needed
Schools with 20 or more students will provide 1 additional volunteer for every 5 students or portion thereof; e.g. schools with 21 students agree to provide 5 volunteers - 4 to run the event and a 5th to help where needed
Volunteers helping with an event must stay with the event supervisor until all exams have been graded
Parents may not volunteer for an event where their child participates
For every event we will need at-least one mentor.

10. Volunteer Opportunities
Running an event
Facilities
Hallway monitor
Scoring Room
Supervisor Room
Meet and greet table
Cleanup
Setup
Awards
Co - Coordinator, Table Mom

11. EVENT mentoring
The students retain control of the process of preparing for a Science Olympiad event. This means that they should have the last word about how something will be done.
mentors can best prepare their teams for the competition by teaching underlying principles and skills, suggesting ideas, and advice on methods, tools or materials to accomplish the task.
Individual team will bear cost of materials that they may use to do a practice drill at home.
It is recommended that mentors and their teams meet once a week or so to practice for their event.

12. Event Writing guidelines (event Supervisor)
Student ages are 8-10 years on day of event
Do not write a test that will take longer than 30 minutes
(the more you assign, the more you have to grade)
Have a way to break ties
Do not deviate from the rules
Make it as hands-on and fun as possible
Do not write questions that need an essay to answer unless there is no other way to find out what students know

13. RLC PTO - Science Olympiad Registration
First come First Serve (subject to VASO cap of 45 students per school)
Fee is due at the time of registration
Per student fee is $35 - to cover registration, RLC VASO T-shirt and other event and administration costs.
The registration fee will be waived if the parent can get a sponsor for $100 or more.
If any money is leftover - it will be used to recognize school winners
No Refunds WHATSOEVER
School Registration End Date - September 15, 2018
Registration IS online

14. Next steps…
Research more on the events at rules
an will be sent September 6th giving registration opening time and link for online registration.
Complete registration when it opens by filling in student details along with the registration fee.
Plan on team meetings beginning sepT 2018 for the final competition in oct 2018
Get kids excited and ready to have fun while they learn!!!