1. What is Science Olympiad?

   Science Olympiad competitions are like academic track meets, consisting of a series of 23 team events in each division (Division B is middle school; Division C is high school). Each year, a portion of the events are rotated to reflect the ever-changing nature of genetics, earth science, chemistry, anatomy, physics, geology, mechanical engineering and technology. By combining events from all disciplines, Science Olympiad encourages a wide cross-section of students to get involved. Emphasis is placed on active, hands-on group participation. Through Science Olympiad, students, teachers, parents, principals and business leaders bond together and work toward a shared goal.

   
   

2. How long has Science Olympiad been in existence?

   Science Olympiad was started in 1984 and has now surpassed 25 years as an organized program of competitions.

   
   

3. What constitutes a Science Olympiad Team?

   A Science Olympiad team is composed of up to fifteen students each for Divisions B and C. The team represents a school. The team must have aptitude and skill to cover 23 separate events. The rules for each event should be read thoroughly by the coach before choosing the team and again by each member of the team to be certain that everyone has the same understanding of the rules.

   
   

4. Why should my school have a team?

   Science Olympiad develops broader student interest in science, technology and engineering. It is a broad-based competition that develops teamwork and skill across a diversity of student aptitude and interests.

   Science Olympiad events are designed to use a variety of intellectual and practical skills. Some events require a quick recall of specific facts, while others require concept development, a process skill, or an application of a specific concept. Some events require general knowledge while others require a specific skill. Others may require a student to build an apparatus.

   A few years ago a youngster in an introductory science class won the titration event. This young man had incredible manual dexterity. He could almost make a burette talk. He and a partner (a two-person team event) entered the titration race. He did the titration while his partner did the actual calculations. The winning combination in this case was someone who could master the physical manipulation teamed with someone to do the calculations. We encourage you to represent your entire school population on the team.

   
   

5. How do teachers benefit from Science Olympiad?

   Not only do teachers broaden the involvement of a variety of students in their team but they also have an opportunity to find new material that can be introduced into their classrooms and make them better teachers.

   
   

6. How many Science Olympiad tournaments are there in Indiana?

   There are currently nine regional tournaments and several invitational (or practice) tournaments around the state of Indiana. The regional tournaments are held in February. The state tournament is held in late March each year. The links to these events are included elsewhere on this site.

   
   

Please visit the related websites below for more information regarding Science Olympiad.

Science Olympiad National Site

www.soinc.org

Indiana Science Olympiad Site

http://www.goshen.edu/bio/SciOlymp/SciOly.html

Wildcard Tournament

Ivy Tech-Lafayette will run a “Wildcard” tournament on Saturday, March 6, 2009. The team from each Regional Tournament that misses going to the State Tournament by ONE place will advance on to the Wildcard tournament (for our IPFW regional this will be the third place team).

Team Notices for IPFW Regional

Each student participant in the tournament will be required to sign a publicity release to allow promotional photography of the event by IPFW. These will be e-mailed to coaches soon and must be turned in at registration on tournament day.

Participants in the Chem Lab, Forensics and Environmental Chem labs events will be required to sign a safety waiver form for access to the IPFW laboratories. These will be e-mailed to coaches and should be filled out before registration on tournament day.

Participants in the Trajectory event must wear non-marking shoes to be eligible to participate.