Agenda - Science Olympiad Clinic:October 17, 2009 sohlhorst@weber.edu or csme@weber.edu
READ THE RULES
1. Introductions -
2. Review Website: weber.edu/sciencecenter -
power point
all forms and letters
other state web sites and national web site
event coordinator hints
numbers of teams competing in past events
schedule and event sign up
core correlations
go to national web site - show where to find information on events
3. Powerpoint on CD (ours, Brents, changes to forensics, benefits, faqs, timeline and checklist, tips and hints, what I know now, what will do differently next year, 2009 tournament, misc event info from internet)
where you go to register on line
vouchers - need to bring them
4. Fundraising – we have been somewhat successful in funding - but may not have as much this year as in the past 2 years. Any suggestions are welcome. The new money has been used to help recruit and support new schools and help rural schools.
5. Requests for second teams (JV status only - not for medals). With our current set up we can host 36 B teams and 36 C teams. Last year we had 33 B teams and 33 C teams. SECOND TEAMS CAN NOT COMPETE FOR MEDALS. Second teams can sign up IF there is space after Dec 15 and/or if you want to bring a second team to regionals (pending space). I need to know if you might want to do this when you register your first team. Registration will close January 30th.
At this time last year there were 11 B, now 23 B; last year 5 C, now 18C
READ THE RULES
6. Regionals. As you hopefully have noticed - there will be THREE regional tournaments this year and I will try to give you travel money if the trip is over 50 miles one way. You must attend one of them
How will Regionals run -
A. There are five categories of events - we are picking 2 events from each category - these are usually the most popular events - I am suggesting
Life Science: two from - anatomy, ecology, ornithology
Earth/Space: Astronomy and Dynamic Planet
Physical Science: physical science lab (physics lab) (B and C) and Science Crime Busters (B) and another - preferably chemistry
Tech/Engineering: EggONaut for B and C and another B and C - maybe elevated bridge??
Inquiry: Write it Do it for B and C and Exp. Design
IT WILL DEPEND UPON AVAILABILITY OF EVENT COORDINATORS - COACHES WITH EXPERIENCE MAY BE ASKED TO RUN AN EVENT
B. You will be assigned the regionals closest to you – if that is a problem, please let us know. You must attend a regionals to move to state.
C. Who will move to state – you have randomly been assigned to one of three groups (teams 1-12, 13-24, 25-36). The 12 teams with the highest overall scores after the completion of all three regionals in each of these three groups will move on to state. This protocol keeps you with the same team number I have assigned you. To do it otherwise might result in a team having to change numbers, which seems ultimately harder for planning purposes. This means that the lower scoring teams won’t know for sure if they are going to state until March 5.
D. The regional schedules have not been set yet - but all events might be run in two time slots (Cedar City might be one) and it is possible that the same students who compete in an event in regionals might not get to do those same events at state – the same holds true for state vs nationals. Schools might be able to send two teams to regionals.
7. PIN designs - if we are going to continue with pins it would be great if we could have more designs submitted.
8. Most events are in the Science Lab building but we will have some events in Union building as well as in Dee Event Center. PLAN FOR THE TIME IT TAKES TO GET FROM ONE PLACE TO ANOTHER. The closing ceremony will be in the Browning Center this year.
9. Only 20 (of 26) events count for medals. You will be sent 20 vouchers, you will place your TYPED labels onto these voucher sheets (or type on them). You will also be sent 6 non-medal vouchers.
10. We will continue to do web sign up AND will request a list of events that you are sure you are NOT competing in – it really helps in planning. We need your cooperation with this in order for it to work. Priority for online sign up goes to those who send in their list of “events NOT participating in” on time.
11. Let us know early if event rules are unclear to you - the procedure is to email me your question and I will contact the event coordinator. I will email you his response AND post it on the web site. THE SINGLE MOST CRITICAL TIP FOR YOU AND YOUR STUDENTS IS TO READ THE RULES. Read them early and read them often
12. Check the web site often for updates
We are going to ask all event coordinators to put hints, suggestions, clarifications on the web site asap - however you can help this process by reading the rules and sending in your questions asap.
All changes will appear on the web site and, just as for nationals, you are responsible for checking that site. We will post a date after which changes will not be made, however there will only be one mailing of information - early March - so don’t wait until then.
13 - Base Camps – B teams get first choice for LL rooms - IF you are a B team and want to be in Dee Event Center - let us know asap. If you are a C team and want to be in LL -let us know asap - you will only be assigned to LL if you are traveling with a B team or if there is room after we’ve heard from B teams. These base camps are optional - my kids have been to other academic events where none are provided. IT IS IMPORTANT THAT YOU GIVE US AN EMAIL ADDRESS THAT YOU CHECK OFTEN.
14. NOTE - we have some events with UTAH rules or UTAH clarifications -
It’s about time, Forensics and Science Crime Busters and Egg-o-naut, Junkyard Challenge (no impound). There might be others (we might remove the impound from physical science)
15. What 3 additional C events? I suggest Pentathlon for one.
16. QUESTIONS? Other event questions? Do the new coaches have any other ??
17. MONEY: New schools - support money, Travel money again this year
p.s. READ THE RULES
18. does anyone teach SO as an elective class
19. Discuss future of CSME and the possibility that SO no longer be supported by WSU.