Science Olympiad
Topic outline
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SCIENCE OLYMPIAD
FEBRUARY 29th, 2020
Welcome to Carmel Middle School's Science Olympiad Page!
What is Science Olympiad?
Since 1984, Science Olympiad is an annual integrated science competition that takes place all over the country. Nationwide, this event has over 7,000 participating schools. The Science Olympiad consists of 23 different competitions; both individual and team-based. Most areas of science are represented as students test their conceptual knowledge and ability to solve problems in physics, chemistry, biology, earth sciences, engineering and technology. The olympiad has three levels of competition beginning at the regional level. Schools that place 3rd place or higher advance on to the state level and the possibility of going to the national competition. Carmel Middle School is part of the Bay Area Regional Science Olympiad.
When is Science Olympiad?
The regional competition will be held on Saturday, February 29th, 2020.
The Olympiad is a ONE day event; however, this year we will be entering some invitational events that will be announced as we join them. This will give the group practice prior to the regional event.
Where is the Regional Science Olympiad?
California State University, East Bay in Hayward, California.
As noted above we may join invitationals. These events are hosted at various bay area schools.
What are the different events?
The event descriptions are listed below. Each event has a very specific set of rules and guidelines that will be provided once the Science Olympiad team begins to meet. The digital publishing of event rules is not permitted; however, students will be provided with printed copies.
Who can participate?
Work done on any events is almost entirely student driven. This means that students who are thinking of joining must be highly motivated and dedicated to completing most of the work at home. There are a number of teachers that act as an advisor to the students and we encourage students to seek outside help. An advisor may help the student brainstorm, find resources, or provide some instruction, but it is up to the students to figure out what type of assistance is needed.
We will be accepting applicants from all grade levels including some current 9th grade students from the high school. The team will consist of 15 members and 5 alternates. The alternates may not compete in any events but they can help with the preparation of events, impounding built structures at the day of the event, and they may be called upon to participate should a regular member not be able to attend.
Sounds Great! How do I Join?
- Read the descriptions for each of the events.
- Make a list of events that seem interesting to you and research more in depth by reading the rules for those events. See 2020 Rules Manual (<<<click).
- COMPLETE THIS SURVEY after having complete steps 1. and 2.
- Make a list of the events you are interested. Of the ones you choice, please put them order of the most interested to the least.
- Attend Next Science Olympiad Meeting and be prepared to share list with Mr. Guzzi
2020 Science Olympiad Rules Manual <<< CLICK
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OVERVIEW OF EVENTS
Read the 2020 Rules Manual <<< click for a more detailed description of each event.
Most events can have up to two participants. Each team member will compete in two to four events depending on time slots of other events and proper preparation.
EVENT NAME Discipline Description Anatomy & Physiology Life Science Demonstrate an understanding of the anatomy & physiology of the Integumentary, Skeletal, and Muscular systems Boomilever Physics and Engineering Teams will design and build a Boomilever meeting requirements specified in these rules to support a minimum load and achieve the highest structural efficiency. Circuit Lab Physics Participants must complete tasks and answer questions about electricity and magnetism. Crime Busters Chemistry and Forensics Given a scenario, a collection of evidence, and possible suspects, students will perform a series of tests. The test results along with other evidence will be used to solve a crime. Density Lab Physical Science Participants compete in activities and answer questions about mass, density, number density, area density, concentration, pressure, and buoyancy. Disease Detectives Life Science and Chemistry Participants will use their investigative skills in the scientific study of disease, injury, health, and disability in populations or groups of people. Dynamic Planet Earth Sciences Students will complete tasks related to physical and geological oceanography. Elastic Launched Glider Physics & Engineering Prior to the tournament teams design, construct, and test elastic-launched gliders to achieve the maximum time aloft. Experimental Design Nature of Science This event will determine the participant’s ability to design, conduct, and report the findings of an experiment conducted entirely on site. Food Science Chemistry Participants will answer questions on food chemistry with a focus on fermentation and pickiling. In addition, participants will build a salinometer/hydrometer capable of measuring salt compositions between 1-10% (mass/volume) Fossils Earth & Life Science Teams use fossils to date and correlate rock units as well as demonstrate their knowledge of ancient life by completing tasks related to interpretation of past environments and ecosystems, adaptations and evolutionary relationships, and use of fossils in dating and correlating rock units. . Game On Computer Science & Engineering This event will determine a team’s ability to design and build an original computer game using the program Scratch incorporating the scientific theme provided to them by the supervisor. Heredity Life Science Participants will solve problems and analyze data or diagrams using their knowledge of the basic principles of genetics Machines Physics & Engineering Teams will take a written test on simple machone concepts and construct a lever-based measuring device prior to the tournament to determine the ratio between two masses. Meteorology Earth Science Teams will display their understanding of meteorological principles associated with severe weather through an analysis & interpretation of meteorlogical data, graphs, charts & images. Mission Possible Physics & Engineering Prior to the competition, teams design, build, test, and document a RubeGoldberg like device that completes required Start and Final Actions through a series of specific actions. Mousetrap Vehicle Physics and Engineering Teams design, build, and test one vehicle using one mousetrap as its sole means of propulsion to reach a target as quickly and accurately as possible.. Ornithology Life Science Participants will be assessed on their knowledge of North American Birds Ping Pong Parachute Physics & Engineering Prior to the competition, teams design, build, and bring up to two bottle rockets to the tournament to launch a ping pong ball attached to a parachute to stay aloft for the greatest amount of time. Reach for the Stars Astronomy Participants will demonstrate an understanding of the properties and evolution of stars and galaxies as well as their observation using different portions of the electromagnetic spectrum. Road Scholar Earth Science Participants will answer interpretive questions that may use one or more state highway maps, USGS topographic maps, Internet-generated maps, a road atlas,or satellite/aerial images. Water Quality Chemistry Participants will be assessed on their understanding and evaluation of aquatic environments.. Write It Do It Nature of Science One student will write a description of an object and how to build it, and then the other student will attempt to construct the object from this description. RESOURCES:
National Science Olympiad Site
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