Science Olympiad

· a nonprofit national 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

· seeks to improve the quality of education by focusing on problem solving and teamwork

· increases student interest by giving them challenging but manageable tasks that are tied to the national science standards

· 23 events for middle and high schools balanced among the three broad areas of the National Science Education Standards: (1) science concepts and knowledge (e.g. Disease Detective, Amphibians/Reptiles, Food Science, Rocks and Minerals), (2) Science Processes and Inquiry Skills (e.g. Chemistry Lab, Experimental Design, Forensics, Science Crime Busters, Write It/Do It) and (3) Science Application and Technology (e.g. Robot Ramble, Scrambler, Sounds of Music, Wright Stuff)

· tournaments are rigorous academic interscholastic competitions that consist of a series of team events which students prepare for during the year

· provides recognition for excellence by awarding medals and trophies in a tournament setting, in May (location varies)

· website: www.soinc.org

Science Olympiad in Tennessee

· Tennessee Science Olympiad Board of Directors composed of regional directors, coach representatives and other education, business and community representatives

· Eight Regional Competition sites; dates generally in February/early March (see page 4 for contact information)

· At Regional Competitions, medals, plaques and trophies are awarded and top winners are invited to compete at the state competition

· State Competition at University of Tennessee, Knoxville (generally late March/early April) – top school(s) in each division are invited to compete at the National competition

· Division B (middle school grades 6-9) and Division C (high school grades 9-12)

· Elementary Science Olympiad offered at some sites

· Fall Coaches Workshop (location and date varies each year)

· Invitational Competitions for Middle and High schools are in the planning stages

· Presentations/Workshops at the Tennessee Science Teachers Association Conference in November in Nashville

· Fall 2007 – events will be aligned with the Tennessee Science Curriculum Standards for Divisions B and C

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Specific Team Information

• Each team consists of a coach and up to 15 students; a school can have more than one team, each with separate coach offer

• Membership Cost per Team (includes national and state fees, which cover one coach manual):

- Returning Team - $200

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- New Team (or have not competed in the last 3 years) - $150

· application available on line from Dr. Dave Stanislawski, Tennessee Science

Olympiad state director; go to www.soinc.org and click on Tennessee

2007-2008 Regional Locations and Directors

• Chattanooga State Technical Community College, Chattanooga

David Stanislawski, david.stanislawski@chattanoogastate,edu

• Christian Brothers University, Memphis

Brother John Monzyk, C.P., jmonzyk@cbu.edu

• East Tennessee State University, Johnson City

Gary Henson, hensong@mail.etsu.edu

• Middle Tennessee State University, Murfreesboro

Pat Patterson, ppatters@mtsu.edu

• Tennessee Technological University, Cookeville

Maggie Phelps, mphelps@tntech.edu

• Tennessee Wesleyan College, Athens

John Berch, Jr., jberch@twcnet.edu

• University of Tennessee at Martin, Martin

Cahit Erkal, cerkal@utm.edu

• Volunteer State Community College, Gallatin

Nancy Morris, Nancy.Morris@volstate.edu