Getting Involved
How can I participate in our local Butte County Science Olympiad?
The Science Olympiad functions much like a football or soccer team, requiring preparation, commitment, coaching and practice. Each school-based team is allowed to bring 8 students and 4 adult volunteers per team who cross-train for a variety of events in their skill set.
Teamwork is a required skill in most scientific careers today, and Science Olympiad encourages group learning by designing events that forge alliances. In a build event[HH1] , an engineering whiz and a kid from wood shop can become gold medalists. Similarly, a talented builder and a student with a good science vocabulary can excel in Write It Do It, one of Science Olympiad's most popular events
Teamwork is a required skill in most scientific careers today, and Science Olympiad encourages group learning by designing events that forge alliances. In a build event[HH1] , an engineering whiz and a kid from wood shop can become gold medalists. Similarly, a talented builder and a student with a good science vocabulary can excel in Write It Do It, one of Science Olympiad's most popular events
How can I get involved in the Regional Science Olympiad?
Just like our local event, you will need a full team to compete. For more information about registration, guidelines, and events please visit:https://www.soinc.org
Please note that the regional event only is for divisions B and C.
Please note that the regional event only is for divisions B and C.
How can my school create a team?
Getting a Science Olympiad team going in your school is easy! Here are the basics you’ll need:
- Students: First, find some like-minded students willing to flex their academic muscles and form a group. Students on the team must be from the membership school; and a school is considered to be a separate school if it has a separate administrator[HH1] [HH2] .
- Recommended team size for our local competition is 8. Each student would compete in 2 events (one from each session). 16 is the maximum (some students would sit out one session). Students may be from any mix of grade levels within their division.
- Teams of up to 15 students are allowed at the regional tournament. Most team members will compete in multiple events to cover the 23 events in pairs. For more information: https://www.soinc.org/start-team/team-size-grade-levels
- Coach: Each team will need a coach. The coach’s first responsibility is to register the team. This person will be our primary contact throughout the event.
- Funding: Registration for the local Science Olympiad is free. There is a fee to register for the regional Science Olympiad. Build events can usually be accomplished with inexpensive and/or recycled materials to keep costs minimal but teams are responsible for supplies. See if the principal or the school district has funding for a science extracurricular activity.[HH3] [HH4] [HH5] If funding is a barrier for your school, please contact us at [email protected] and we will help you explore options.
- Parent Helpers: Get a few parents (or other interested adults) to help with things such as scheduling, rides to the library, contacting experts and helping students prepare for the event as assistant coaches (note: the students need to be the ones doing the work). Chaperones will be needed for participation at the local Science Olympiad.
Coaching your team
With everything you do for your students, it's wonderful that you're considering becoming a Science Olympiad coach. Once you've got team and parent interest, you're ready to go.
Assigning team specialties:
Your first task will be to choose student pairs to represent the team in each event.
Consider partnering students with complimentary skills needed to complete the task (for example, one student good at building and hands-on problem solving and the other with strengths in writing, organizing, and noticing details). You might want to do some whole group practice activities before assigning roles in order to see where your team members shine and what they enjoy most. Here is some additional information based on which division you are in and whether you are participating in the local or regional tournament:
Division B (MS) or C (HS)
8 team members recommended (16 max)
Local Science Olympiad
15 team members max
Division A (grades 3-5)
8 team members recommended (16 max)
Local Science Olympiad
There are 4 types of events found at the Science Olympiad. Each caters to different student strengths, styles and skills. Here is a bit more information about what each type entails to help you find the best match for your student competitors:
You decide the frequency based on the needs and expectations of your team. Once every other week might be a good place to start. Pick a schedule that works for you, but remember to put the responsibility for the team in the students' hands -- after all, it's their team and their work.
o With only a few events and 15 team members, scheduling your team to cover every event is an important task.
Assigning team specialties:
Your first task will be to choose student pairs to represent the team in each event.
Consider partnering students with complimentary skills needed to complete the task (for example, one student good at building and hands-on problem solving and the other with strengths in writing, organizing, and noticing details). You might want to do some whole group practice activities before assigning roles in order to see where your team members shine and what they enjoy most. Here is some additional information based on which division you are in and whether you are participating in the local or regional tournament:
Division B (MS) or C (HS)
8 team members recommended (16 max)
Local Science Olympiad
- You will need student pairs to cover 8 events in our local Science Olympiad.
- Partners may be different for different events.
- Don’t double book a student for the same time slot.
- If you have more than 8 team members, some will only compete in one of the 2 sessions.
15 team members max
- You will need student pairs to cover 23 events.
- Some additional tips for assigning specialties for a full tournament:
Division A (grades 3-5)
8 team members recommended (16 max)
Local Science Olympiad
- You will need to cover 4 events in our local Science Olympiad.
- Each team member will compete in one event (paired with a partner). They will explore hands-on science stations during the other session (no prep or partners needed for the stations).
- If you have more than 8 team members your team may have 2 pairs of students competing in the same event. For purposes of a team score for that event, an average of the 2 will be used.
There are 4 types of events found at the Science Olympiad. Each caters to different student strengths, styles and skills. Here is a bit more information about what each type entails to help you find the best match for your student competitors:
- Build: This category requires the most advance work and materials. Students will need time prior to the competition to independently build a device to complete a given task, conduct numerous test runs, and record their results in a log. At the event itself, students will participate in a timed competition with their pre-built device applying knowledge they gained during practice.
- Core Knowledge: This category is the most like a traditional test of content in a particular area. Unlike most tests, competing as a pair adds a collaborative component. Preparation involves becoming studying a topic and putting together the reference materials that are allowed in the competition.
- Lab/Hands-on: As the name indicates, this category involves a hands-on challenge. Participants do not need to bring any sort of pre-built item to the competition. They will be provided the materials for the task at the event. Preparation will involve practicing skills such as using equipment, observation, measuring, recording, and completing tasks within a given time frame.
- Hybrid: a combo of one or more of the above
You decide the frequency based on the needs and expectations of your team. Once every other week might be a good place to start. Pick a schedule that works for you, but remember to put the responsibility for the team in the students' hands -- after all, it's their team and their work.
o With only a few events and 15 team members, scheduling your team to cover every event is an important task.
How can interested students build a team?
So, you and your friends love science and want to get a team going. What to do?
- First, go to your favorite science, math, computer or industrial tech teacher and say, “Please! We'd like to get a Science Olympiad team going!” If you can get a teacher to sign on, you've cleared the first hurdle. Then, you need to recruit, recruit, recruit. There's no question that most potential Science Olympiad team members will be busy with several activities -- drama, sports, advanced classes, hobbies, music -- but you've got to get them to realize that Science Olympiad will only enhance their academic (and social!) lives. Also consider more unconventional learners. Students compete in pairs at a Science Olympiad so a kid who likes to tinker and build things but doesn’t get stellar grades paired with a student with more traditional academic skills might make a really successful team.
- Take a look at the events for the year and see what you are most excited for! Be sure to mix up your skills and cross-train for maximum results.
Parents
As a parent, you can be a great cheerleader to get the initiative going for the start of an Olympiad team! Try to gather a small group of parents who are interested in volunteering and contact the school principal with your desire to form a team. While it's best to have the support, backing and organizational skill of the school behind any Science Olympiad team, it is possible for parents to coach a team. Most teams have several parent coaches!
What if I want to join, but have no team?
We may be able to help! Please email [email protected] to let us know of your situation. After you do this, we can try to help you join a collaborative team in your division with individuals that are as excited as science as you
Ready to Register?
Click the button above to below for our local Science Olympiad!
Please note, that this is not the registration for the regional event, but rather our local Butte County Science Olympiad.
Please note, that this is not the registration for the regional event, but rather our local Butte County Science Olympiad.