SW WASHINGTON REGIONAL SCIENCE OLYMPIAD ADVISORY BOARD
Meeting Minutes for Tuesday, 19 January 2016, 5:00 PM, Clark College, JSH 244
Members present: Rick Grote, Erin Harwood, Cheryl Kryger
Elementary Science Olympiad
Tournament: Saturday, November 21, 2015
1. Everything went very smoothly. We hosted 21 teams from 18 schools in 10 school districts. This
does not include one team that pulled out within a week of the tournament.
2. We had a huge number of volunteers and decided it was better to have too many instead of too
few.
3. A compilation of evaluation replies from both coaches and event supervisors was distributed before
the meeting. Most were extremely positive and/or offered helpful suggestions.
4. A couple of coaches commented that they lost students because the tournament was so close to
holidays and it was difficult to juggle coaching with preparations for the new school year. One
suggested we schedule it in January. After discussion we decided to keep it the same for several
reasons.
a. Weather is not as harsh in November.
b. Volunteers are more plentiful near the Thanksgiving break.
c. Extending the preparation time may actually hurt teams by having to maintain interest over a
longer period of time including the Thanksgiving and December holiday breaks. An earlier
tournament also allows schools to schedule other science activities with the same students.
SW WA Regional Tournament
Saturday, March 12, 2016, Lower Columbia College
1. David Rosi was not at the meeting, so there weren’t a lot of details concerning preparations.
2. We discussed the idea of awarding gift certificates to event supervisors.
a. With a check from the Clark College Foundation, Cheryl will purchase six (3 for each division)
$30 gift cards to Longview restaurants with local ownership or support to LCC. We will ask
David Rosi for suggestions.
b. Criteria for selection by the coaches will be sent out by David Rosi before the tournament. This
will be based on:
i.
Knowledge of event rules (including posting by national SO rules clarification and FAQ)
ii.
Preparation (having all supplies needed for event)
iii.
Good judgment and fairness facing situations beyond supervisor’s control (weather,
locked rooms, crowded rooms, etc.)
iv.
Respect of students and coaches
c. Each team will be given a ballot which will need to be returned to the score room by 4 PM on
tournament day. Each coach or team captain gets 6 points that can be divided between events
with no event getting more than 3 points. Cheryl will make up the ballots.
3. We will also be awarding the Gordon Patterson scholarships and paying for 4th place medals
instead of ribbons.
Other
1. Another ESO venue: Last month Rick suggested trying to set up an elementary level tournament in
the LCC area. This was tabled because there were no representatives from that area.
2. Next board meeting: Pending confirmation from David Rosi, the next meetings will be 9 February
and 1 March, at Lower Columbia College. The agenda will include planning for the Division B/C SW
WA regional tournament at LCC. A carpool will meet at the Salmon Creek Park and Ride.
Respectfully submitted,
Cheryl Kryger
Secretary