1. Creekside Elementary Science Olympiad
Amy Hobeika
2014/2015

2. STEM Science, technology, engineering, & mathematics
Goal of North Carolina Science Olympiad: It’s Elementary
Enrich and enhance the opportunities in STEM education for
elementary school students
Standardized testing in reading and math continues, so does
standardized testing for science.
STEM topics are a large part of what North Carolina deems to be an
integral component of preparing students for success after high school
At Middle and High school Level those who win state levels get scholarships and move on to nationals- starting in elementary level helps prepare the kids for better success at the higher levels

3. Science Olympiad Elementary Teams (A)
Up to 18 Students per Team
3rd, 4th, and 5th graders
1-4 Team Members compete per Event
Varsity and Junior varsity teams can compete for each school

4. North Carolina Science Olympiad TENATIVE Tournament Schedule Division A Elementary Saturday, May 2, 2015
Times
Events
7:45 – 8:25 am
Registration
8:30 – 8:55 am
Opening Ceremony
Period 1 (9:00 - 10:10 am)
3,2,1 Blast Off! – walk in
All Charged up
Backyard Biologist
Describe It, Build It
Ecology Expert
STEM Design Challenge (takes 2 periods)
Trajeggtory
Period 2 (10:20 am - 11:30 am)
Chew the Fat
Data Crunchers
First in Flight
Rock Star
Super Sleuths
Weather Permitting
Period 3 (11:40 am - 12:50 pm)
Pasta Tower - walk in
Fast Facts
Planet Protectors
Science Password
Sky Quest
What's the Matter?
1:00 - 1:45 pm
Lunch
1:45 – 2:15 pm
Closing/Awards  Ceremony
19 events in 3
Time periods
3 events per kid max; can only be in 1 event per time period (3 time periods); prefer only 1 build ahead per kid/parent;

5. Event Examples http://www. sciencenc
3, 2, 1, Blast Off! Prior to the tournament, teams construct two rockets designed to stay aloft for the greatest amount of time. Rockets are made from 2 liter soda bottles and pressurized with air and water. In 2015, parachutes are allowed and rockets will be launched at 60 psi.
Backyard Biologist Teams will be assessed on their knowledge of living organisms that they may encounter in their own backyard. In 2015, the focus will be on trees, plants, and birds. Teams will be required to identify organisms from a provided list and know about the habitat and conditions required for growth of the organisms and which ones are North Carolina state symbols.
Chew the Fat – Digestive System: Teams will demonstrate knowledge of the human digestive system and nutrition using diagrams and models. Team members may be required to identify the parts and their basic functions in this system.
Data Crunchers Teams will demonstrate their understanding of data collected from scientific experiments. Teams will need to be able to graph data and interpret graphs to make observations about trends in the data represented. Teams will also need to be able to estimate and measure basic units of length, weight, volume, and temperature and perform calculations of area, perimeter, volume, addition, subtraction, multiplication, & division.
Describe It, Build It Teams will be judged on their ability to effectively communicate by having one team member write a description of how to build a device and having his or her partner re-construct the device from raw materials.
Build ahead examples- may be best for friends or siblings; same with the password one; Describe it build it- lots of materials and descriptions

6. 7. SAFETY REQUIREMENTS: None 8. IMPOUND: No
4. MAXIMUM TIME: 60 min.
5. TEAMS: Must bring writing instruments. Teams may also bring up to 2 commercially produced field guides and/or 2 1-inch, 3-ring binders with pages in any form, from any source, contained in page protectors. (This means 2 guides, or 2 binders, or a guide and a binder). Actual plant & leaf samples are allowed in the binders as long as they are in plastic sheet protectors. No actual bird parts or feathers are allowed in the binders. Teams may also bring up to two hand lenses.
6. EVENT LEADERS: Will provide a hands-on event with all necessary items, objects, materials, questions, and response sheets for participants to complete stations. Examples include but are not limited to: drawings, scenarios, questions, leaves, photographs, specimens, and songs.
7. SAFETY REQUIREMENTS: None
8. IMPOUND: No
9. THE COMPETITION: This event will be run in a station format. Teams will rotate through stations that assess any or all of the following topics:
a. Identification of specimens, by common name, from the Official Specimen List, including which are NC official state symbols. No more than 50% of the test will be identification of specimens.
b. Plants and trees
i. The structure and function of roots, stems, leaves, seeds, and flower parts.
ii. The distinct stages of the life cycle of seed plants.
iii. The concepts of gravitropism, phototropism, thigmotropism, & hydrotropism.
c. Horticulture
i. Basic properties (texture and capacity to hold water) and components (sand, clay, and humus) of soil
and how these determine the ability of soil to support the growth and survival of many plants.
ii. What is needed to grow a successful garden and harvest food to eat
d. The habitats, eating habits, and life cycles of birds.
10. SCORING: Points will be awarded for the accuracy of responses. Ties will be broken by the accuracy or quality of responses to pre-selected questions chosen by the event leader.
11. EVENT RESOURCES:
Example of info provided for backyard biologist category

7. 3, 2, 1 Blast Off!
Attend Middle and High School Olympiad to watch their Bottle Rockets and get ideas! Contact Benji D to borrow launcher to practice with

8. Station Events Data Crunchers Guidebooks allowed for Super Sleuths
Practice doing stations prior to the Olympiad and/or attend another Olympiad to see how it is set up
Guidebooks allowed for
Some events- use wisely!!!
Only 2-3 minutes allowed
per station
Super Sleuths
Tire Track

9. Scoring Individual Medals & Team Medals
Varsity & JV Teams Compete at same time – Varsity teams only compete against other Varsity; JV against other JV- medal to both
Lowest Scores Win (Best Team gets 1 point)
Every team ranked based on total number of teams in event
“Penalized” if we don’t compete in an event- automatically given highest score +1
No Show= N +1; Disqualification= N+2; Poor Sportsmanship= N+3!!!!

10. 2014 Science Olympiad Elementary Results
****This year 15 Varsity Teams! Expecting 2-5 JV Teams****

11. Disqualifications Safety!!!! Poor Sportsmanship!!! Parent Outbursts!!!
Must have proper eye protection!
Must have closed toe shoes (gym shoes required for Fast Facts!)
Must have long Pants
Poor Sportsmanship!!!
Kids should clean up after themselves/stations, share as needed, support their team & others
Parent Outbursts!!!
Don’t coach your kid form the sidelines/don’t shout out answers!
No Cell Phones- automatic DQ if phone rings

12. Coaches and Volunteers
One coach per event (but not necessarily per team)
Plan to meet 2-4 times prior to competition (depends on the subject!)
Responsibilities: Read event manual, coach kids on subject, make sure all necessarily materials needed for competition (writing utensils, safety goggles, etc) brought to competition, attend competition

13. Coaches and Volunteers
NCSO follows a "Never Alone" policy ( ) This means that volunteers should never be alone with a student who is not related to them. NCSO may request permission to run a criminal background check on any volunteer at any time

14. Team Expectations
• Students will attend team practices approximately once a month* in January, February, March and April. Students and coaches are expected to attend all team practices.
• Students may conduct research and practice their events at home and with their teammates outside of school hours in addition to team practice sessions. A team directory can be provided to facilitate scheduling extracurricular study sessions.
• Parents/guardians and students will attend the NCSO competition on Saturday, May 2, 2015, at Southern . Students will be expected to be present during the entire tournament from the opening ceremony to the closing/awards ceremony.
• Students will participate in 2-3 events. Events will be assigned based on student preference, team dynamics, and volunteer coaches (parents and . We will try to assign each student to at least one of his/her first choices and try our best to get a good balance of students in each event. See event selection form.
• Parent participation will be required for all events that require advance construction (for example: 3,2,1, Blast Off!, Pasta Tower, Trajeggtory).
• There are no fees for participation but some events require safety glasses or goggles which will need to be brought by the student. Also, students will need to bring lunch*, drinks, and snacks for the day of competition (and wear a Creekside shirt if possible!).
*PDQ may be available for lunch at the event
Parents: By agreeing to be on the team, you agree to support your student during their participation on the Creekside Science Olympiad Team!

15. Event Selection Form
Event Name
Student Preferences
Period 1
3,2,1 Blast Off!*
All Charged Up
Backyard Biologist
Describe It, Build It
Ecology Expert
STEM Design Challenge (Takes 2 periods!)
Trajeggtory*
Period 2
Chew the Fat
Data Crunchers
First in Flight
Rock Star
Super Sleuths
Weather Permitting
Period 3
Pasta Tower*
Fast Facts
Planet Protectors
Science Password
Sky Quest
What’s the Matter?
Indicate 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th choice events within each time period. For events you do not want to participate in, please mark with an “X.”

16. Example of Team Set Up
Fast facts has to have 4 team members!

17. Practices
Approx once a month for each event/subject- some events may not need to meet as often or may meet closer to the meet
January “formal” get together at school- let us know the days of the week & times that work best for kids and coaches
Is there a preference for monthly formal get togethers OR for informal (meet at library, student homes, ect- will look into meeting at Creekside if needed)
I will follow up to make sure everyone is meeting as intended!

18. Spirit Award Sportsmanship Appreciation Team Spirit

19. Questions?