September 14, 2009

 

Dear Principal/Science Educator,

           

            Weber State University and Utah Science Olympiad invite you to participate in this year’s Science Olympiad.  Science Olympiad is a nationwide organization dedicated to improving the quality of science education and increasing student interest in science.  The benefits of participating in Science Olympiad competition are many.  Science Olympiad builds teamwork and individual science skills.  Each event is designed to require participants to use science process skills to be successful.  These challenging and motivational events are balanced between the various science disciplines of biology, earth science, chemistry, physics, computers and technology.   There is also a balance of events requiring knowledge of science facts, concepts, processes, skills and science applications.  All Science Olympiad events have ties to the Utah Science Core.

 

Benefits of Competing in Science Olympiad

 

For Students:                          

·         Application of scientific principles

·         Hands-on learning                     

·         Creative thinking skills   

·         Communication skills    

·         Cooperation skills

·         Problem-solving skills

·         Leadership skills           

·         Teamwork skills            

·         Experience science beyond the 

routine classroom

·         Career possibilities in science &

engineering

 

For Teachers/Coaches:

·         Renewed excitement for teaching

·         Students receiving recognition for academics

·         Activities/events can be used in regular classroom (refer to Science Olympiad Core Ties)

·         Rewarding to watch students’ hard work & training come together

·         Students showing interest and initiative

·         Promote real life application of science

·        Provide students with university campus experience

 

We are excited to announce that we will hold regional competitions this year for the first time in Utah.  Regional competitions provide an opportunity for students on your team to gain experience competing in their event(s) before the state tournament is held.  The Southern Utah Regional Tournament will be held at Cedar High School on February 20 with the Northern Utah Regional Tournament to be held at Davis High School on March 6, 2010.  Teams will need to compete at one of the regional tournaments.  The top 36 teams in each division will compete at the state competition on March 27, 2010 at Weber State University in Ogden, Utah.   

 

The cost to register a team (“B Division”- Grades 6-9, “C Division”- Grades 9-12) this year is $130.00.  This covers the cost of regional, state and national fees.  A registration form is enclosed.  Each team has the option of competing in all 26 events; however, it is not necessary.  A team consists of a maximum of 15 students, although you do not need to have 15 students to register. 

 

            You are invited/strongly encouraged to attend the Coaches Clinic on Saturday, October 17, 2009 where you will meet other coaches (or prospective coaches) of Science Olympiad teams and learn more about Science Olympiad.  It is not necessary to have a team registered in order to attend this clinic.  We will meet in Lind Lecture Hall - rm 229 from 9:00 am - 1:00 pm (approximately) with a pizza lunch provided.  At this clinic we will review the new and old events, as well as share tips and strategies.  Travel support may be available for those traveling more than 50 miles. 

 

If you are unable to register a team this year but would still like to see how Science Olympiad works, you are welcome to come and watch the events on March 27 or we can put you in touch with a school that is currently registered to compete at this year’s Science Olympiad.   

 

            We anticipate having money available to help with travel costs of those teams traveling from outside the Wasatch Front area and we hope to have scholarships available for those starting new teams.

           

            For more information on Science Olympiad or registering a team, please call (801) 626-6160, email us at csme@weber.edu or go to the Center for Science and Math Education’s Science Olympiad website at http://www.weber.edu/sciencecenter/scienceolympiad/Olympiadpage.htm

We hope you register a team for Science Olympiad this year! 

 

 

Sincerely,

 

 

 

Sharon Ohlhorst, State Director for Science Olympiad

 

Director, Center for Science and Mathematics Education

Museum of Natural Science

Weber State University

2509 University Circle

Ogden, Ut 84408-2509

(801) 626-6160, Fax (801) 626-7257

http://departments.weber.edu/sciencecenter