Science Olympiad: A Fun Way To Add Exciting, Hands-on Science Lessons To Your Classroom

What Is Science Olympiad?

Are you looking for an educational opportunity that will meet all of your students' needs, add new science activities to your lesson book, and make your classroom even more fun? Then check out Science Olympiad!

The Science Olympiad is an exciting, hands-on science competition for middle and high school students. More than 30 events cover all the science disciplines (including math), and many require teamwork and cooperation. For example, the event called "Egg-O-Naut" students will construct rockets designed to carry a raw Grade A large chicken egg, staff aloft the greatest amount of time and return to earth without breaking the egg. 

Other events involve: solving a mysterious crime using qualitative analysis, hair and fiber identification, and fingerprint analysis; calculating the mechanical advantage of various simple machines; and demonstrating knowledge of anatomy and health science. With more than 30 events, your students will certainly be challenged to learn many science concepts in a variety of disciplines (and have fun doing it!).

In the true spirit of the Olympics, individual winners in each event are awarded Olympic-style medals. But teamwork is also very important: only teams (not individuals) earn the right to advance to the state tournament at IUPUI on March 28, 2009. Indiana schools are invited and encouraged to join Science Olympiad by fielding a team of up to 15 students to compete in one of the 9 Indiana regional tournaments.

Who Can Compete in Science Olympiad?

Currently, the Indiana Science Olympiad is comprised of two divisions:

• Division B: grades 6-9
• Division C: grades 9-12

The Indiana Science Olympiad will host regional and state tournaments for Division B (grades 6-9) and Division C (grades 9-12). Member schools can compete in the appropriate division with a team of up to 15 students. Schools may field more than one team however a teacher may coach only one team per division.

Regional Tournament Dates

February 7, 2009
IPFW (Fort Wayne) – Division C only

February 14, 2009
Goshen College (Goshen)
IU Southeast (New Albany)
St. Joseph's College (Rensselear)

February 21, 2009
Purdue University (West Lafayette)
Vincennes University (Vincennes)

February 28, 2009
Butler University (Indianapolis)
IU Northwest (Gary)
Purdue Calumet (Hammond)

State Tournament Date
March 28, 2009
IUPUI (Indianapolis)       

National Tournament Dates
May 15-16, 2009
Augusta State University, Augusta, GA

How Do I Register A Team?

Contact:
Dr. Gretchen Wolf, Membership Director
Purdue Calumet University
219-989-2282
gswolf@calumet.purdue.edu

OR, visit the official Indiana State Science Olympiad website.