Get ready Nebraska. May 14-16, more than 2,000 6th-12th grade students from across the U.S. will converge on Lincoln and the UNL campus for the 2015 Science Olympiad National Tournament. A unique and exciting event, the annual Science Olympiad has been held for 31 years. This Olympics is focused on events that engage students in using their minds to solve complex problems as teams—competing for national recognition, scholarships and bragging rights as the best science minds in the nation.
Science Olympiad has led a revolution in science education, beginning as a grassroots assembly of science teachers. It is now one of the premiere science competitions in the nation, providing rigorous, standards-based challenges to nearly 7,000 teams in 50 states. Science Olympiad's ever-changing line-up of events in all STEM disciplines exposes students to practicing scientists and career choices, and energizes classroom teachers with a dynamic content experience.
Science Olympiad competitions are like academic track meets, consisting of a series of 23 team events in each division (Division B is middle school; Division C is high school). Each year, a portion of the events are rotated to reflect the ever-changing nature of genetics, earth science, chemistry, anatomy, physics, geology, 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. Through Science Olympiad, students, teachers, parents, principals and business leaders bond together and work toward a shared goal.
Teamwork is a required skill in most scientific careers today, and Science Olympiad encourages group learning by designing events that forge alliances. In Elevated Bridge, an engineering whiz and a kid from wood shop can become gold medalists. Similarly, a talented builder and a student with a good science vocabulary can excel in Write It Do It, one of Science Olympiad's most popular events.
The culmination of nearly 300 regional and state tournaments is the Science Olympiad National Tournament, held at a different university each year. This rotating system gives students the opportunity to visit new parts of the country and tour colleges they might consider for their undergraduate studies, and provides a memorable experience that lasts a lifetime.
One aspect of hosting these events is the need for volunteers. Jon Pedersen, associate dean in the College of Education and Human Sciences, is co-coordinator of the tournament. He is seeking individuals who would be willing to support the Olympiad through volunteering. With students, parents, coaches and others, approximately 6,000 people are expected to convene on the UNL campus. If interested in volunteering, sign up at the Nebraska Science Olympiad website: http://www.scienceolympiad2015.com. Volunteers are needed to assist in a multitude of roles—from handing out lunches to guiding people to the appropriate building/room. About 400 volunteers are needed to make this happen.
For more information, contact Pedersen at jep@unl.edu. He is also, seeking organizations, groups or individuals that may like to contribute financially to the event.
More details at: http://www.scienceolympiad2015.com/index.html