2016
KAREN LANCOUR
National Committee Chair-Life Science
Bio-Process Lab National Supervisor karenlancour@charter.net

DISCLAIMER
This presentation was prepared using draft rules. There may be some changes in the final copy of the rules .
The rules which will be in your Coaches Manual and
Student Manuals will be the official rules.

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BE SURE TO CHECK THE 2016
EVENT RULES FOR EVENT
PARAMETERS AND TOPICS
FOR EACH COMPETITION
LEVEL

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Training Power Point – content overview
Training Handout - content information and needed skille
Practice Activities - sample stations with key
Sample Tournaments – sample problems with key
Event Supervisor Guide – prep tips, event needs, and scoring tips
Internet Resource & Training CD’s – on the Science Olympiad website at www.soinc.org
under Event Information
Biology-Earth Science CD , Bio-Process Lab CD (updated 2015) in Science Olympiad Store at www.soinc.org
Biology lab manuals – identify variables and evaluate the labs
– become familiar with typical bio labs

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Event Description lab-oriented competition involving the fundamental science processes of a middle school biology lab program
Event – lab practical in stations
Event Parameters – be sure to check the rules for resources allowed, type of goggles needed.

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Observing
Measuring
Inferring
Classifying
Predicting
Communicating

Integrated Science Process Skills
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Formulating Hypothesis
Identifying Variables
Defining Variables Operationally
Describing Relationships Between Variables
Designing Investigations
Experimenting
Acquiring Data
Analyzing Investigations and Their Data
Understanding Cause and Effect
Relationships
Formulating Models

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USE THE POWERPOINT FOR OVERVIEW
USE THE HANDOUT FOR DETAIL OF INFORMATION NEEDED
AND TYPE OF QUESTIONS
GO TO THE INTERNET RESOURCES AND CD’S FOR MORE HELP
DO THE PRACTICE ACTIVITIES TO MASTER SKILLS
DO THE SAMPLE TOURNAMENTS UNDER TIMED CONDITIONS
TO EXPERIENCE COMPETITION SITUATION
DO OLD TOURAMENTS– PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE
THE KEY TO SUCCESS – THE BEST WAY TO LEARN THE SKILLS
IS BY DOING

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Team work skills – work as a team
Many mistakes are made when work is split to save time – results in many errors
Time limits – invest in a timer and practice using it
Check station setups – to see what is available to help you
Answering questions – see student preparation guide
Be sure to read questions and do all parts requested
Measurement and Calculations – check graduations and remember units
Reference materials – make them functional for competition under timed conditions
Practice, Practice, Practice using the skills you have learned

Compound Microscope
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Parts
Making wet mount
Appearance of objects
Movement of objects
Magnification
Changing objects
Estimating size of objects
Field diameter & area

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Determine the diameter of the field and the length of one cell in mm and convert to mcm.

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Parts
Appearance of objects
Magnification
Advantages
Uses
Observing objects

Examining Instrument
Graduations Before Measuring
• Capacity - highest it will read – starts at zero
• Range if does not start at zero as thermometer
• Numbered Increments (graduations)
• Unnumbered Increment (graduations)
MANY ERRORS ARE MADE BECAUSE STUDENTS DO NOT
EXAMINE THE GRADUATIONS BEFORE MEASURING !!!!!

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Meniscus – read bottom
Capacity and Range
Graduations – numbered and unnumbered increments
Readability
Making measurements
Estimating

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Capacity and Range
Numbered and unnumbered increments cm vs mm
Uses of each
Making measurements
Estimating
Vernier Scale

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Capacity and Range
Do not start at zero
Numbered and unnumbered increments
Uses of each
Making measurements
Estimating

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Identify range, capacity, incrementation
Do measurement – estimate last digit

• Expands capacity of the balance from 610g to 2610 grams
• 2 weight equivalent to 1000 g and 1 weight equivalent to 500 g
• Actual mass of weight is listed on the top of the weight.

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Capacity – auxillary weights
Units – numbered and unnumbered increments
Tare
Using the Balance
Advantages &
Disadvantages

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Capacity
Units
Tare or Zero
Err
Using the Balance
Advantages &
Disadvantages

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Graphing calculator
Easy link or CBL
Probe
Collect data onto calculator
Transfer data to computer
Graph analysis
Quick data collection

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Determine the pH of various solutions using either pH probe or pH test papers.

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Format
Title
Units of measurement
Numbering
Tables
Source
Leg (thigh)
Length (cm)
24
31
37
38
39
42
55
62
Time of 40 yard dash (sec)
9
9.2
11
10
8.2
8.4
9.3
9

Data Presentation and Analysis-
Graphs
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Graph – types
X vs Y axis
Scaling axis
Plotting points
Human Error
Curve or best fit line
Labeling

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Measure sample area
Determine population density for symbols
Assign an organism to symbols
Form a food chain
Evaluate sample – predict techniques, etc.

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Identify variables
Examine procedure – will it evaluate allow the hypothesis to be tested?
Evaluate observations to understand what happened and why
Analyze data and identify errors
Determine if the hypothesis is true – if false what was not considered?
Propose further testing or new hypothesis

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Analyze the design of the experiment
Identify variables
Explain results – form conclusions

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Use observations to understand what happened during the experiment
Look for possible types errors
Look for patterns in the data
Do data analysis as mean, median, mode
Examine group vs. class results data
Use data to evaluate hypothesis

Sample Station –
Data Analysis
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Making hypotheses
Food web analysis
Eating habit analysis
Predictions and conclusions
Inferences

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Human Mistakes – carelessness
Experimental Error – instrument variation or technique
Random Error – chance variation
Systematic Error – system used for designing or conducting experiment

A Sample Dichotomous Key
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1. wings covered by an exoskeleton . . . . . . go to step 2
1. wings not covered by an exoskeleton. . . . go to step 3
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2 body has a round shape. . . . . . . . ladybug
2 body has an elongated shape. . . . . .grasshopper
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3.wings point out from the side of the body . . dragonfly
3 wings point to the posterior of the body.. . . . Housefly
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Note: There should be one less step than the total number of organisms to be identified in your dichotomous key.

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Have specimens of leaves
Formulate a key or use a key to identify specimens

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Learn the Skills – using Practice Activities
Practice under Timed Conditions
Work as a Team – saves time and catches errors
Pay attention to details – avoid silly mistakes
Relax and let the competition show you how much you have learned
Have fun !!!