Waukesha South Academic Decathlon
What is Academic Decathlon?
Academic Decathlon (ACDEC) is a statewide scholastic competition which advocates greater respect for knowledge and
promotes academic excellence among students, schools and communities. The Academic Decathlon is a ten-event scholastic
competition for teams of high school students that are comprised of nine students each. The overall curricular topic for 2014–
2015 will be New Alternatives in Energy: Ingenuity and Innovation. The following is some general information on the topics
in each of the subject areas.
SCIENCE: The science topic will be an introduction to energy conversion and will include a discussion of traditional energy
generation as well as nuclear energy and renewable sources of energy.
LITERATURE: The literature curriculum will include critical reading, one long work of literature, eight poems, and one short
prose work. The long work of literature will be Pilgrim at Tinker Creek by Annie Dillard.
ART: The art curriculum will include art fundamentals and will cover innovations in art from the ancient world through the
twentieth century.
MUSIC: The music curriculum will include basic elements of music theory and will cover innovations in music from the Middle
Ages through the modern era.
SOCIAL SCIENCE: The social science curriculum will cover energy policy, the environment, and the new energy economy.
ECONOMICS: The economics curriculum will cover fundamental economic concepts, microeconomics, and macroeconomics.
The economics curriculum will also include a thematic section on the economics of energy.
MATHEMATICS: The mathematics curriculum will cover general mathematics, geometry, and an introduction to differential
calculus.
SPEECH: Students are required to research and write a prepared speech to give in front of a panel of judges on a social issue or
life event that has greatly impacted their lives or holds great meaning to them.
INTERVIEW: Students are interviewed by a panel and are given the opportunity to discuss their ambitions, goals and plans for
their future in high school and beyond.
SUPER QUIZ: A fast-paced game show style team competition where each team member individually competes head-to-head
with members from every other State Competition qualifying team in a rapid-fire question and answer format in front of a large
audience.
Additional ACDEC FAQ’s:
What type of commitment does ACDEC require?
3 - 4 practices a week from September through mid-March before school. Occasionally, additional practices will be
held during the weeks leading up to a competition. Additional practices will be announced well in advance.
When are practices?
Regular practices are held before school on Mondays through Thursdays from 6:00 am - 7:15 am in Room 138.
Supplemental practices are held after school on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm in Room 138.
Additional practice times will be announced as needed throughout the season.
How can I get involved?
Come join us at one of our weekly practices before school in Room 138 from 6:00am-7:15am!
We look forward to meeting you and welcoming you to the team!
If you would like additional information or if I can answer any additional questions and concerns, please contact:
Mr. Wayne Ellinghausen via email: wellinghau@waukesha.k12.wi.us