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2009
Science Olympiad State
Competition - Saturday, February 21
What is Science Olympiad?
The Science Olympiad is a national, non-profit, tax exempt organization,
devoted to improving the quality of science education, increasing student
interest in science, and providing recognition of outstanding achievement
in science education by both students and teachers. These goals are
achieved by participation in Science Olympiad tournaments, incorporating
Science Olympiad into classroom curriculum and attending teacher training
institutes.
Science Olympiad competitions follow the format
of classroom lab tests, popular board games, TV shows, and athletic games.
Everyone can find a niche for his or her particular skill
in Science Olympiad as each event is designed to take advantage of the
wide variety of students' talents. Events are well balanced between the
various science disciplines of biology, earth science, chemistry, physics,
computers and technology. There is also a balance between events
requiring knowledge of science facts, concepts, processes, skills and
science applications.
What are the
benefits of Science Olympiad?
A three year Georgia State
University study of the impact of Science Olympiad on middle and high
school students confirmed significant benefits in the following areas:
Increased in-depth knowledge
and understanding of science concepts and general knowledge
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An increase in ability to
apply scientific knowledge
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Greater breadth of knowledge
in areas previously unexplored
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Exhibit significantly
enhanced laboratory skills
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Experience science as real
scientists would
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Use and apply the scientific
method with meaning
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Begin to see the
interrelatedness of the sciences.
Improved problem-solving
skills
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Application of problem
solving skills as a long term endeavor
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Education in the importance
of trial and error
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Emphasis on experiences
rather than memorization.
Hands-on training in:
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Collaborative and/or
creative thinking
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Applying critical thinking
skills to real-time situations
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Constant experimentation to
solve problems at hand
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Creative application of new
ideas
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Time management and
teamwork.
Who can
participate in Science Olympiad?
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Any private or public
school, charter school or home school in grades 6-12 is eligible to
participate.
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Middle School students
(grades 6-9) compete in Division B.
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High School students (grades 9 to 12)
compete in Division C.
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A team may
consists of as many as 15 members.
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There is a maximum
of five 9th grade students (Division B) and seven
12th
grade students (Division C) permitted on a team.
Regional Competition:
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Participation in a Regional
Competition is required for a team to qualify to compete in the NM state
finals.
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Qualifying teams (25 per
division) will advance to
State, with the top State winners in each division advancing to Nationals.
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Team coaches are responsible
for contacting their regional director as soon as possible for
information regarding the regional competition.
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New Mexico Science Olympiad
State Competition restricts participation to one team per school.
Some regional competitions allow more than one team per school to
participate. There is an additional $25 fee for schools who enter
two teams at their regional competition.
State Competition
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The State Competition will
be held on Saturday, February 21, 2009 at New Mexico Tech, Socorro, New
Mexico.
Teams and Divisions:
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There are two New
Mexico Science Olympiad divisions: Division B-students
grades 6 to 9 and Division C-grades 9 to 12.
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A team may
consists of as many as 15 members.
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There is a maximum
of five 9th grade students (Division B) and seven
12th
grade students (Division C) permitted on a team.
Registration:
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To register a team in the New Mexico Science
Olympiad, you must complete a
registration
form. Deadline for registering
a team is December 15.
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There is a non-refundable
registration fee
of $125 per team. Please use only one name for the coach/contact
person as only one person will receive mailing and be listed as the
team's coach.
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The registration fee
entitles the member school to enter a team of up to 15 students in
their respective Regional Science Olympiad competition and one copy of
the Coaches Manual.
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There is an additional
fee of $25 for schools who wish to enter two teams at their regional
competition.
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Pre-payment is required. School purchase
orders may accompany the membership application, but the coaches
manuals will not be shipped until full payment is received.
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Payments not received by
December 16, will be assessed a $25 late payment fee.
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Coaches Manuals will not be
mailed out until October 1.
Future Olympiads:
Science Olympiad 2010 State
Competition - Saturday, February 22
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