1. Fulton Science Academy
Academic Teams Policies and Procedures

2. What are Academic Teams
Academic Teams compete in extracurricular competitions against other schools. They include:
Science Olympiad
Math Olympiad
Model UN
Robotics
Destination Imagination
Academic Bowl/History Bowl

3. What you should know: Most students will compete on at least one team
Students can participate in a maximum of two teams. Exception: Students cannot do both Robotics and Science Olympiad
Remember, a student cannot be on two teams that meet at the same time
Students applying for an Academic Team must complete both the appropriate Academic Team application form and the online Club Google form.

4. Your behavior matters . . .
All team members and parents must sign the Academic Teams Policies & Procedures .
All school rules are in effect for all Academic Team activities whether on or off campus.
Disrespect of teammates, coaches, and/or property will not be tolerated.
Be considerate of your coaches – we are volunteering to help you!
You can be removed from the team for poor behavior!
Parents and students must sign the Polices and Procedures, so please read these carefully.

5. Science Olympiad Team Presentation
Fulton Science Academy

6. What is Science Olympiad?
National program in which students learn science through active, hands-on participation, with an emphasis on problem solving and team building skills.
Some events require knowledge of science facts and concepts, while others rely on scientific processes, skills, or applications, so students with varying skills can participate.
Not a trivia competition. Students must apply their knowledge.
The cooperation, collaboration, team spirit and good sportsmanship that students develop will be beneficial throughout their lives.

7. Who?
Science Olympiad is for students who are passionate about science
Why?
Tournaments are fun! They allow students to demonstrate their knowledge as they go head-to-head against students from other schools
Awards look great when applying for summer programs, internships, and college.

8. Science Olympiad Highlights
FSA has a long history of success in Division B Science Olympiad
Division C Team began in
Last year’s highlights:
2nd Place at Regional Tournament
Qualified for State Tournament
Several members of previous National Teams have now moved up to Division C

9. Science Olympiad Management Team
Head Coaches –
Mrs. Walsh began coaching in Her son placed 5th in Fossils at Nationals in 2009 and 2nd in Her Meteorology team placed 4th at Nationals in 2012.
Mrs. Stathos began coaching in Her son placed 5th in Don’t Bug Me at Nationals in Her Write It Do It teams placed first in the National tournament in both and 2017.
Ms. Oliver and team captains Nick and Aubrey will manage high school practices.

10. High School Tentative Dates
South Forsyth Invitational: October 12
UGA Invitational: October 26
Lambert Invitational: November 9
Grovetown High School: December 14
Brookwood HS Invitational or out of state Tournament: January TBA
Regional: February/March TBA – Location TBA
State: March TBA - Emory University

11. SAT/ACT Testing
When scheduling SAT/ACT Testing, please try to plan around competition dates.
Duke Tip test dates are SAT: Sat Dec 7, Sat Jan 25 ACT: Dec 14, Feb 18 6th Grade EXPLORE test:

12. Competition Team Size:
FSA will have 1 or 2 High School Teams this year.
Only one team per school can compete at the State tournament.
High School Team can have a maximum of seven 12th graders.

13. Tournament Logistics Up to 15 students on a team
23 events with 2 to 3 students competing in each event
A typical tournament has 47 slots to fill for each team
The “average” student should be capable of competing in 3 to 4 events.
Events run simultaneously, so event conflicts happen.
The more events a student carries, the more valuable they are to the team.
2 days, independent study, some Saturday mornings with me, work any Saturday that is not a MS or HS comp day

14. Competition Teams will be chosen by looking at:
Results from teacher recommendations, practice tests, invitational and regional tournament results
Competition schedule conflicts
Attendance at weekly event meetings and Saturday studies
Attitude, spirit, leadership
Behavior – see Academic Teams Policies and Procedures
Team success takes priority over individual success

15. Before You Commit:
Dues for Science Olympiad are $150 per student and do not cover travel and tournament expenses.
The time commitment for Science Olympiad is equivalent to participating in 3-5 afterschool clubs. Each event meets once per week.
We recommend that Science Olympiad students not participate in other academic teams.
If you choose to participate in more than one Academic Team (Model UN, Math Olympiad, Tech Fair, Destination Imagination), expect conflicts in competition dates.
You cannot do Science Olympiad AND Robotics.
Competitive Olympians should expect to spend 10 or more hours per week working on their events, including weekly event meetings, Saturday studies and independent study time
Science Olympiad is a Team competition. No event winners move on to the next level of competition unless the whole team qualifies

16. Keep in mind:
Cramming is not an effective strategy for Science Olympiad!
In order to be selected to compete in an event, you must demonstrate some level of mastery.
Just attending Science Olympiad classes is not enough to ensure a competition slot.
The most successful students are those who:
Are not over-committed with other activities
Have the time and motivation to study on their own.

17. Who are the Coaches?
You will have mentors, and Ms. Oliver will hold weekly club practices
There may be some Saturday practices, and HS can come and work on events while MS is practicing even if Ms. Oliver is not holding an official practice.
Let Ms. Oliver know if you would like to be a mentor and help out with event studies occasionally!
No true coaches, just mentors and me

18. Events

19. Building often done sats

20. Life, Personal & Social Science
Anatomy & Physiology -- Skeletal, Muscular, and Integumentary systems
Disease Detectives – Epidemiology
Designer Genes – All about genetics
Ornithology– Birds
Water Quality – Ecology of Marine and Estuary environments

21. Earth & Space Science Astronomy Dynamic Planet – Oceanography Fossils
Geologic Mapping

22. Physical Science & Chemistry
Circuit Lab
Sounds of Music
Machines
Chem Lab
Forensics
Protein Modeling

23. Technology & Engineering
Boomilever
Detector Building
Gravity Vehicle
Wright Stuff

24. Inquiry & Nature of Science
Codebusters
Experimental Design
Ping Pong Parachute (most likely will work on Saturdays)
Write It Do It

25. Event Studies
In general, students are expected to work independently with assistance, when needed, from an event mentor.
Event mentors will be assigned for each event and include science teachers, Mr. Parlak, Mrs. Walsh, Mrs. Stathos, and community volunteers.
Study/work sessions will be scheduled as needed
There will be two club days for HS SO!

26. Competitions
Division C team will compete in 2 or 3 Invitationals and a Regional tournament (about 1 tournament each month October- March).
Our goal is to qualify for the state tournament, place 1st, and qualify for the National tournament (!!). First or second place at State qualifies team for National Tournament.

27. What Next? Select Science Olympiad on the on-line club selection form.
Complete Science Olympiad Application form
Talk to Ms. Oliver, Nick, or Aubrey for more information if you have any questions
We will meet 1-2 days during club time until official rules are available (expected in early September)— Most likely Mondays and Wednesdays

28. How many events?
Plan to study 4-6 events, including one or two building events
To improve you chance of being selected for team membership, be sure to mention any special interests/talents to Ms. Oliver, Nick, or Aubrey.

29. For more information check out:
National Website:
National student run forum and wiki:
Any Questions?