1. Welcome to RLC PTO Science Olympiad 2019 Parent Information Session

2. What is VASO – Division A
It is a sister organization to the Virginia Science Olympiad (VASO)
A friendly competition designed for 3-5 grade students to experience STEM
This is an introduction to middle school (Division B) and high-school (Division C) Science Olympiad programs 

3. School Team Structure
A team is defined as a group of students residing within the same school
Teams may not be comprised of students from different schools
A team may be up to 45 students.
Students in grades 3-5 are eligible to participate in division A.
VASO writeS and runS THEIR own competition based on and mirroring the Science Olympiad competition

4. • May 4, 2019
September
Release of Event Rules
Coaches Meeting
Event Supervisor Trainings
October 12
June 1
School registration closes
Roster Numbers Due.
Events assigned to schools
Schools Registrations begin
July 1
Apply for Facility Space
November 2
Payment Due
Team roster due
Deadline for turning in event tests for review and editing
Building Event Supervisors Meeting
July 8
Portal Accounts
Student/Parent Registration opens
August 11
New Schools/Coaches Meeting

5. Sample Schedule

6. Volunteer Requirement
Each School will run at least one event and will provide the
necessary volunteers to help run the competition based on these parameters:
15 student team: 2 Event Supervisors - 1 Parent Volunteer to help with events students: 2 Event Supervisors - 2 Parent Volunteers to help with events
31 students or more: 2 Event Supervisors - 3 Parent Volunteers to help with events
Parents may not volunteer for an event their own child has entered.
Volunteers helping with an event must stay with the event supervisor until all exams have been graded.

7. Volunteer Training Event Supervisor Trainings
Will set up two building event training days in September
Split the testing event trainings over the two days

8. Volunteer Opportunities
TEAM MENTOR
Running an event (event supervisor)
Scoring ROOM (grading test)
Meet and greet table
Cleanup
Setup
Awards

9. EVENT Coaching
The students retain control of the process of preparing for a Science Olympiad event.
Coaches can best prepare their teams for the competition by teaching underlying principles and skills, suggesting ideas, and advice on methods, tools or materials to accomplish the task.
Individual team will bear cost of materials that they may use to do a practice drill at home.
It is recommended that coaches and their teams meet once a week or so to practice for their event.

10. Event Writing guidelines (event Supervisor)
Student ages are 8-10 years on day of event
Do not write a test that will take longer than 30 minutes
(the more you assign, the more you have to grade)
Have a way to break ties
Do not deviate from the rules
Make it as hands-on and fun as possible
Do not write questions that need an essay to answer unless there is no other way to find out what students know

11. RLC PTO - Science Olympiad Registration
First come First Serve (subject to VASO cap of 45 students per school)
Fee is due at the time of registration
Per student fee is UNDETERMINED BUT WILL RANGE FROM $45 TO $60 - to cover registration, RLC VASO T-shirt and other event and administration costs
If any money is leftover - it will be used to recognize school winners
No Refunds
Registration – online and via checks (payable to “RLC PTO”)

12. Scheduled Events 30 minute Signup Events 60 minute Signup Events
3rd Grade Dynamic Planet
3rd Grade Life Cycles
3rd Grade Ologies
Anatomy - Homeostasis
Astronomy – Star Evolution
Cell Biology
Dynamic Planet – Volcanoes
Flying Fossils
Kinematics
Logical Thinking
Shock Value
Simple Machines
Virginia Ornithology
Wright Stuff
30 minute Signup
Events
Code Busters
Describe It, Build It
Orienteering
Pentathlon
60 minute Signup
Events
3rd Grade – Gunk Ice Cream
3rd Grade – Tower
Boomilever
Parachute Straw Egg Drop
Submersibles

13. Next steps…
Research more on the events at
an will be sent next week that gives registration opening date and link for online registration.
Complete registration when it opens by filling in student details along with the registration fee.
Get kids excited and ready to have fun while they learn!!!