What is Science Olympiad?The Science Olympiad is an international nonprofit organization devoted to improving the quality of science education, increasing student interest in science and providing recognition for outstanding achievement in science education by both students and teachers. These goals are accomplished through classroom activities, research, training workshops and the encouragement of intramural, district, regional, state and national tournaments. The Science Olympiad tournaments are rigorous academic interscholastic competitions that consist of a series of team events, which students prepare for during the year. Some events follow the format of popular board games, TV shows and athletic games. These challenging and motivational events are well balanced between the various science disciplines of biology, earth science, chemistry, physics and technology. There is also a balance between events requiring knowledge of science concepts, process skills and science applications…excerpt taken fromwww.soinc.org
How does Homeschool Science Colorado Fit with Science Olympiad?Homeschool Science Colorado is an organized homeschool group whose sole purpose is to encourage and study the fields of science.Homeschool families are invited to participate in a Science Olympiad B Division team primarily for 6th - 9th grade and/or C Division Team for grades 9-12. We will establish a 15 participant B and C division Science Olympiad team (only five 9th graders and seven 12th graders per team) and compete in 24 events at the regional and possibly state and national levels.Participants are expected to follow rules of conduct and ethics as described at www.soinc.org and follow guidelines and expectations. Students participating in Science Olympiad develop exceptional problem solving, test taking, and construction skills. Also, they learn research techniques, test taking strategies, and teamwork. And, colleges recognize their participation. All faith backgrounds and homeschooling philosophies are welcome on the teams.
Experience of Homeschool Science Colorado:Cheryl Osteroos, Homeschool Science Colorado main coach/coordinator has been involved with Science Olympiad Homeschool teams since 2002.Her family of two sons and husband, Garvin has enjoyed using the Science Olympiad guidelines as a method of studying all disciplines of science with other homeschool families and competing at the Science Olympiad competitions.
Homeschool Science Colorado has many reputable coaches on the team. Ultimately the parents are the coaches for it ties in with the spirit of homeschooling our children. Each parent is expected to take on an essential role in making the team a success. The parents' willingness to learn and share their expertise have created the strong foundation for our children to learn from and is the basic element for our success.
Cheryl's goal is to provide participants, parents, coaches, and all involved with the team a positive learning experience in the fields of science.She is confident the entire coaching staff can inspire and motivate other young scientists in the fields of science and allow them to succeed in their strong disciplines.
What is the expected time commitment as a Science Olympiad participant?Each participant is required to cover at least three of the 23 events.Event teams are composed of primarily two participants; however, some events require three participants and some events can be covered by one.Science Olympiad is a competition and participants should participate on the team with that in mind. Other co-ops are offering science related courses on a non-competitive level.In order to cover the material we strongly advise you start studying your events in October.Weekly time commitment is 2-3 hours per event.Regional competition is most often held the first Saturday in March at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs.To best prepare and qualify for state, all events must be covered and will require some participants to study more than three events.Generally, the top 15 of 35 teams will qualify for state, held in Golden, Colorado mid April. National competition is held in May and the State 1st place sometimes the 2nd place teams from both Divisions are eligible to compete. click here for exact competition dates
What is the financial commitment as a Science Olympiad participant?The registration fee for Science Olympiad is $35.00 for the first child and $25.00 for each additional child from the same family.Fees cover Regional, State, and National registration fee, t-shirt, rule handbook, info copies, website management, and team meeting activities.Additional costs may be required for each event and at state and national level for room, board, and transportation. Cost for an extra t-shirt for siblings and parents is $10.
When does my child have to make a commitment to the team?We would like team participants to make a commitment by the September meeting.Check your schedule for other commitments for we expect Science Olympiad to be a priority.Non-refundable team fees are due by September meeting and we would like to order the team t-shirts and register our team at the State level shortly thereafter.
Who is eligible for the Science Olympiad Homeschool Science Colorado Team? Homeschool Science Colorado welcomes any home based educated student from the state of Colorado who fit within the following criteria: * Will abide by our guidelines * Will not turn 19 before National Tournament in May. * Meet the criteria defining home based educated students in accordance with Colorado Law. * All Homeschool Science Colorado Science Olympiad teams will be restricted to National Science Olympiad provisions as stated below that all participants of each 15 member team must be from two contiguous counties.
Quote from the National Science Olympiad website:
HOME-SCHOOLED STUDENTS Option 1 - Participation through a Local Public SchoolIf the state in which a home schooled student resides allows home schools students to participate in public school activities, home schooled students may either (1) choose to participate as a member of the Science Olympiad team at the local public school they would attend were they not home schooled, or (2) form a home school team as set forth in Option #2, below.
Option 2 - Participation through a Home School TeamScience Olympiad will recognize Home School Teams consisting only of students who live within the boundaries of two contiguous (side-by-side) geographic counties in a single state. Science Olympiad will permit existing multi-county and multi-state Home School Teams to participate in Science Olympiad events for a period of three years from the date this policy is adopted. As of July 20, 2011, the two-contiguous-county/single state policy will apply to all Science Olympiad Home School Teams who wish to attend to the 2012 Science Olympiad National Tournament and Science Olympiad will no longer qualify multi-county or multi-state Home School Teams. How many participants on one team? What is the age limit?Fifteen (15) participants are able to be on one team.For the B Division Team age limit is primarily 6th-9th grade.We are restricted to five 9th graders per team.Participants may be younger than 6th grade if they show the discipline to participate.Final decision will be made by team coordinators. The C Division Team is for grades 9-12. We are restricted to seven 12th graders per team.
What types of events are offered in Science Olympiad? The events are divided into basically three categories:knowledge, lab, and construction.Most knowledge and lab events require good reading, writing, and lab skills.Some of these events allow notes, full notebooks and other reference materials and a few require being able to think quickly on your feet.Construction events require building and testing an apparatus before the competition.
What is the parent’s involvement with the team?Parent and coach involvement is required.For homeschool families this is a built in advantage. Coaches are defined as parents, friends, acquaintances and others who may have some expertise in the science field you are studying.Just as teachers in a school setting share their knowledge we expect team participants to take advantage of knowledgeable peers or adults.The most productive and rewarding experiences have been to study with knowledgeable adults and peers from our community.Take advantage of this and don’t feel like you have to re-invent the wheel in your event.
Parents are required to attend team meetings.
Team member participation:In addition to the information stated above, it is important that the team member be self motivated and committed to the team.One note regarding construction events:Once again we strongly advise you take advantage of your resources but the team participant must construct what is required for the event this includes notebooks for knowledge events.The adult or other person involved with the coaching is not permitted to build the device for the team participant.
Which resources should I use outside of friends, parents and other acquaintances?The library and the internet are great starters.The National Science Olympiad website lists a number of valuable resources at www.soinc.org under Events.College and high school level textbooks are strongly recommended.Science Olympiad does address the Science disciplines at a more advance level than middle school level.Used textbooks can be found online, Goodwill, or Friends of the Library book sales.A number of useful links are also provided on the this website at other links.
When are and what do you do at the team meetings?The primary purpose of the monthly team meetings is to enable the individual team participants to work as a team, since we do not meet in a social setting on a regular basis like most students enrolled in the school system.Team meetings are very well organized and fashioned for building a strong sense of team, conducting business, and working on individual events.
Parents are expected to attend meetings as well and participation is required.Siblings are also welcome for we offer activities for the younger scientists. Parents take turns providing snacks.September is the first official scheduled meeting and every meeting thereafter will be the second Monday of each month.Meeting time is from 11:30-3:30pm and location is a PPLD library community room.Second Monday of the month meetings are held at the East Library Community room.Additionally, after the first of the year, we add a fourth Monday of each month meeting held at the Sand Creek Library.
How can I find out more info? Review this website or visit the National Science Olympiad website at www.soinc.org or the State website at www.coloradoscienceolympiad.org for detailed Science Olympiad event information.
Who do I contact if I have more questions?Send other questions and concerns to the inquiry page and we will respond promptly.
