DCS
Science Olympiad
2014-2015
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General
Event Information
Important Dates
Application Form
General Information
What is Science Olympiad?
Science Olympiad tournaments are rigorous academic interscholastic competitions that consist of a
series of individual and team events for which students prepare during the year. These challenging and
motivational events involve the various science disciplines of biology, earth science, chemistry, physics,
and technology. There is a balance between events requiring knowledge of science facts, concepts,
processes, skills, and science applications.
Who can compete?
There are three levels of competition available to any San Joaquin County Schools: Division A2 for
grades 3-6, Division B for grades 6-9, and Division C for grades 9-12. DCS competes as a Division A2
school.
Why compete?
Aside from the fun of a competition that encourages innovation, Science Olympiad can help students
form new interests related to science. Students who compete practice important research and study skills.
They discover that the process of learning is not always about being right, but about researching, refining,
and getting better.
How many children are on a team?
DCS will be sending one Science Olympiad team this year. The team consists of 18 starters and up to
five alternates. Only 7 students may be from 6th grade.
What is the commitment?
Students who apply are expected to be available on the dates listed as mandatory preparation
sessions in addition to being available on the day of the competition. They are also expected to maintain
an active interest in preparing for each of three events. The goal is for every participant to compete in one
"study" event, one "do" event, and one "build" event.
Is there a fee?
We are requesting payment $35 per child to cover the cost of registration, team shirts, and materials.
This payment will be due at the time of registration.
Who is the coach this year?
Team Coach: Ms. Pelaez (lpelaez@tracylc.net)
-Coordinate mandatory preparation days
-Communicate with the county office, event coaches, and parents of all participants
-Submit proper registration forms
-Order supplies requested by event coaches (within reason)
-Available on all mandatory meeting days
Event Coaches: Family Volunteers
-Specialize in up to three events
-Guide students during mandatory preparation days related to his/her event
-Communicate with Team Coach about progress and needs
Event Information
Study Events
A is for Anatomy
Deep Blue Sea
Don't Bug Me
Fossil Find
Rock Hound
Save the Earth
Science Bowl
Wildlife Safari
Students test their knowledge of both the structure and function of the
following systems: Skeletal, Digestive, Circulatory, and Nervous.
This event will test student knowledge about oceanography.
Students must identify insects from non-insects, as well as demonstrate a
general knowledge of arthropods
Students demonstrate knowledge of fossils and the fossilization process.
Students prepare charts, identify rocks and minerals, and describe their
characteristics.
Students are assessed on their knowledge of human interaction with the earth.
2 Part competition. Written/Oral quiz.
Tests a student's knowledge of living organisms.
Build Events
Barge Building
Can Race
Hot Air Balloons
Paper Rockets
Straw Egg Drop
Straw Tower
Tennis Ball Catapult
Water Rockets
Teams construct a barge using aluminum foil that can support a cargo of the
largest amount of objects without getting them wet.
A team designs, builds, and tests a race can to travel a specific distance as
quickly and as straight as possible.
Students build and fly a paper hot air balloon.
Build paper rockets to launch toward a target.
Make a device out of straws and tape to hold a raw egg that must be dropped
on a target from a fixed height without breaking.,
Use 50 straws and 1 meter of masking tape to build the tallest, strongest
tower.
Teams build a catapult to launch a tennis ball at a target.
Teams construct two rockets designed to stay aloft for the greatest amount
of time.
Do Events
Boggle Science
Calculator Contest
Crime Busters
Estimania
Orienteering
Pentathlon
Write It, Do It
Zowie Metrics
Students attempt to locate science words pertaining to a particular category
on a board of 16 letters.
Students will use a hand-held non programmable calculator to solve arithmetic
and word problems.
Participants use tests to identify unknown powders, match fingerprints, and
use paper chromatography.
Students will estimate the answers to approximately ten questions.
Teams receive an instruction card and a compass and must use those to
navigate a marked course.
A four member team competes in a variety of challenges during 5 stations.
Team members write a description of how to build a device and the other team
member must follow the directions.
Students will measure mass, volume, density, area, distance, and time using the
metric system. Metric conversions must also be performed.
Important Dates
October
10/2/14
10/10/14
10/13/14
10/24/14
Informational meeting for all students interested in learning about this year's competition.
Applications due to Ms. Pelaez
Participants confirmed.
Mandatory informational meeting for participants in D5 from 4:30-5:30.
Events assigned.
November
11/14/14
Study Event Practice
11/21/14
Build Event Practice
Mandatory practice meeting for study event coaches and students
participating in study events. Room D5 4:30-5:30.
Mandatory practice meeting for build event coaches and students
participating in build events. Room D5 4:30-5:30.
December
12/5/14
Do Event Practice
12/12/14
Build Event Practice
1/16/15
Study Event Practice
1/23/15
Do Event Practice
1/30/15
Build Event Practice
2/6/15
Study Event Practice
2/13/15
Build Event Practice
2/20/15
Do Event Practice
Mandatory practice meeting for do event coaches and students
participating in build events. Room D5 4:30-5:30.
Mandatory practice meeting for build event coaches and students
participating in build events. Room D5 4:30-5:30.
January
Mandatory practice meeting for study event coaches and students
participating in study events. Room D5 4:30-5:30.
Mandatory practice meeting for do event coaches and students
participating in build events. Room D5 4:30-5:30.
Mandatory practice meeting for build event coaches and students
participating in build events. Room D5 4:30-5:30.
February
Mandatory practice meeting for study event coaches and students
participating in study events. Room D5 4:30-5:30.
Mandatory practice meeting for build event coaches and students
participating in build events. Room D5 4:30-5:30.
Mandatory practice meeting for do event coaches and students
participating in build events. Room D5 4:30-5:30.
March
3/6/15
Build Event Practice
3/13/15
Do Event Practice
3/26/15
3/28/15
Optional final meeting.
Mandatory practice meeting for build event coaches and students
participating in build events. Room D5 4:30-5:30.
Mandatory practice meeting for do event coaches and students
participating in build events. Room D5 4:30-5:30.
Competition Day!
8:00-5:00 McNair High School in Stockton
* This is the planned schedule. Students are expected to attend all mandatory
practices listed above. Students who fail to participate in a mandatory event may
be asked to withdraw from the competition. Every effort will be made to keep this
schedule. If changes are made over the course of the year, participants will not be
penalized for failing to attend meetings not listed above. Proper preparation will
require additional practice and research outside of the times listed above.
DCS 2014-2015 Science Olympiad Application
Please complete the application honestly and thoroughly. Your responses to the questions will be scored and used
in the selection process for our 2014-2015 Science Olympiad team. If there are not enough spots to accommodate
all applicants, scores will be used to determine the team members and alternates for this year.
Student Name:________________________________________________
Student Grade:________________
Contact E-mail:___________________________________________
Date Submitted to Ms. Pelaez:__________________(Due to Ms. Pelaez no later than October 10th.)
What interests you about competing in Science Olympiad this year?
Have you competed in Science Olympiad before? If so, in which events?
Have you participated in other types of academic competitions? Is so, which?
What other activities are you involved in after school?
How would you feel about yourself and your team if you do not receive an award on competition day?
What will you do if someone on your team is not doing a fair share of the work?
How will you react if you are asked to compete in an event that was not part of your top three choices?
What is your biggest strength in Science?
Have you ever missed a homework assignment because you were too busy after school to complete it?
⃝ Yes
⃝ No
Are you willing to be an alternate if we do not have enough sports?
⃝ Yes
⃝ No
If you are to be selected, please choose the top three events you would like to be a part of for each
category.
Study
Do
Build
1.
1.
1.
2.
2.
2.
3.
3.
3.
I am available for all the listed mandatory meeting dates.
⃝ Yes ⃝ No
Someone in my family can coach a Study event.
⃝ Yes ⃝ No
Who?
Which event?
Someone in my family can coach a Do event.
⃝ Yes ⃝ No
Who?
Which event?
Someone in my family can coach a Build event.
⃝ Yes ⃝ No
Who?
Which event?
In the space below please provide an email and phone number for the people in your family who are available to
coach.