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For 25 years, Science Olympiad has led a revolution in science education. With shrinking college enrollment in science majors, falling science test scores and a nationwide shortage of K-12 science teachers, Science Olympiad continues to challenge, inspire and inform the academic and professional careers of students and instructors cross America.
Fulfilling a desire to bring excitement to science education and competitions, Science Olympiad was founded in 1983 by educators Dr. Gerard Putz and John Cairns. What began as a grassroots assembly of science educators has now become one of the premier science competitions in the nation. Currently Science Olympiad holds 240 regional competitions in 47 states, engaging close to 200,000 students..
Science Olympiad competitions are like academic track meets, consisting of a series of 23 team events. Each year, the selected subset of events is rotated to reflect the ever-changing nature of genetics, earth science, chemistry, anatomy, physics, geology, astronomy, 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.
Teamwork is a required skill in most scientific careers today, and Science Olympiad encourages group learning by designing events that forge alliances. In Tower Building, an engineering whiz and a kid from wood shop can become gold medallists. In Write It, Do It, the good scientific vocabulary and writing skills of one partner are as important as the construction skills of the other. The team is made stronger by the diversity of its members.
Elementary Science Olympiad (K- 6)
These are the prime years for parent volunteers. It seems like every week you're in the classroom, reading at story time, helping with math games or chaperoning a field trip. Science Olympiad offers a different parent volunteer opportunity -- one that allows you to open your child's eyes to the world of science. The K-6 years are perfect for setting those first impressions of a subject -- "I love to read!" or "Science is cool!" Be a part of making sure that science is as important to your child as reading, writing and arithmetic. If your local school has an existing Science Olympiad event, call the principal or PTA president to offer your assistance and mention your science specialty, if you have one. The great thing about elementary-based science is that everyone will be able to connect with the information -- we all have experience with basic science concepts! Don't feel that you have to be an expert. If you love to garden, help with As The Worm Turns. If you love cars, volunteer to run a Mousetrap Car building session. If you love to cook, help with Pasta Bridge! It's that easy.
Secondary Science Olympiad (Grades 6-12)
Especially in the middle school and high school years, it's rare to have the chance to work with your child outside the boundaries of typical homework challenges. But with Science Olympiad, you can truly be a partner in your child's success, assisting with scheduling study time, finding new and enriching resources, perfecting designs in your basement workshop, arranging meetings with local professors or science experts or simply providing the setting for device building parties. When Science Olympiad enters your life, you'll see that it becomes a social hub where your child will seek friends with similar interests who feel it's cool to pursue science outside of school. The rewards are overwhelming -- the sense of accomplishment in your child's eyes when he masters a new subject, the elation you feel watching him win his first medal at the regional competition, the pride of knowing that you supported his efforts all the way.
Contact your child's school to see if a Science Olympiad team exists -- if not, call the principal or email the science teacher to see if you can get a team started!