Middle School Team Additional Information
Check out the National Science Olympiad site for all kinds of good info: www.soinc.org/
What happens at meetings?
NASA regular meetings will encompass study and preparation for Science Olympiad competitions. Meetings may include break-out collaborative study time for individuals and small groups, lectures and instruction on particular topics, discussion and analysis of various current events and discoveries within the scientific community, science videos or documentaries, trivia games, just-for-fun social time, and other media & activities that build community, increase knowledge, and promote team spirit.
Parent Leader volunteers are needed to guide and oversee the middle school team during in-person meetings. Most actual studying and preparation will be done individually and with partners at home, outside of NASA meetings. However, we've found that in-person time is vital to building team spirit and engagement. At meetings, we envision a mix of practice tests, games, mini-workshops covering difficult concepts, educational videos, time to work on notes & partner collaboration.....the exact mix will vary, and we're open to input from our Parent Leaders. We've had everyone from stay-at-home moms & dads to degreed professionals help with past teams - no special training is required. We want the kids engaged and excited about learning and working toward team goals.
What academic levels are covered in Science Olympiad events?
The educational level of the content covered in Science Olympiad middle school events is advanced 8th grade level through AP high school level, and sometimes beyond. Preparation and study for Olympiad events will require significant independent work at home in addition to our regular meetings. Parental involvement is a necessity at this age since most kids will need guidance in researching content, locating resources, and comprehending advanced concepts. The parent coaching model can be hugely successful as evidenced by NASA's past results at competitions, including high placements at the Regional level and advancement to the State level. The coaches will work closely with parents to assist with content and resources for Science Olympiad preparation..
What happens at competitions?
They're often all-day affairs, held usually on University or high school campuses. The events are usually in 50 minute time blocks, and in between their events the kids hang out in our designated "home base" area to relax, socialize, play games, and generally enjoy the atmosphere. There's typically an Awards Ceremony in the evening, and wow, the excitement and enthusiasm from cheering teammates as results are announced & kids go up on stage for their medals is simply amazing.
Why a competitive science team? Why Science Olympiad?
Everything we do at NASA is geared not only toward having fun and preparing for competitions, but also toward equipping them for success at the high school and college levels, and beyond. The knowledge gained gives kids an edge as they move into high school and college level science, math, and social sciences. The study, test-taking, and time management skills honed via Science Olympiad participation build confidence and can benefit students preparing for the PSAT, SAT, and ACT tests. Placing highly on individual events at competitions is a great way to round out one's experience with needed extracurriculars and academic awards. And, we've heard time and time again from university students and faculty that participation in Science Olympiad is a selling point with college admissions personnel and can help a student stand out from the crowd.
What happens at meetings?
NASA regular meetings will encompass study and preparation for Science Olympiad competitions. Meetings may include break-out collaborative study time for individuals and small groups, lectures and instruction on particular topics, discussion and analysis of various current events and discoveries within the scientific community, science videos or documentaries, trivia games, just-for-fun social time, and other media & activities that build community, increase knowledge, and promote team spirit.
Parent Leader volunteers are needed to guide and oversee the middle school team during in-person meetings. Most actual studying and preparation will be done individually and with partners at home, outside of NASA meetings. However, we've found that in-person time is vital to building team spirit and engagement. At meetings, we envision a mix of practice tests, games, mini-workshops covering difficult concepts, educational videos, time to work on notes & partner collaboration.....the exact mix will vary, and we're open to input from our Parent Leaders. We've had everyone from stay-at-home moms & dads to degreed professionals help with past teams - no special training is required. We want the kids engaged and excited about learning and working toward team goals.
What academic levels are covered in Science Olympiad events?
The educational level of the content covered in Science Olympiad middle school events is advanced 8th grade level through AP high school level, and sometimes beyond. Preparation and study for Olympiad events will require significant independent work at home in addition to our regular meetings. Parental involvement is a necessity at this age since most kids will need guidance in researching content, locating resources, and comprehending advanced concepts. The parent coaching model can be hugely successful as evidenced by NASA's past results at competitions, including high placements at the Regional level and advancement to the State level. The coaches will work closely with parents to assist with content and resources for Science Olympiad preparation..
What happens at competitions?
They're often all-day affairs, held usually on University or high school campuses. The events are usually in 50 minute time blocks, and in between their events the kids hang out in our designated "home base" area to relax, socialize, play games, and generally enjoy the atmosphere. There's typically an Awards Ceremony in the evening, and wow, the excitement and enthusiasm from cheering teammates as results are announced & kids go up on stage for their medals is simply amazing.
Why a competitive science team? Why Science Olympiad?
Everything we do at NASA is geared not only toward having fun and preparing for competitions, but also toward equipping them for success at the high school and college levels, and beyond. The knowledge gained gives kids an edge as they move into high school and college level science, math, and social sciences. The study, test-taking, and time management skills honed via Science Olympiad participation build confidence and can benefit students preparing for the PSAT, SAT, and ACT tests. Placing highly on individual events at competitions is a great way to round out one's experience with needed extracurriculars and academic awards. And, we've heard time and time again from university students and faculty that participation in Science Olympiad is a selling point with college admissions personnel and can help a student stand out from the crowd.