The Science Olympiad is a national, non-profit, tax exempt organization, devoted to improving the quality of science education, increasing student interest in science, and providing recognition of outstanding achievement in science education by both students and teachers. These goals are achieved by participation in Science Olympiad tournaments, incorporating Science Olympiad into classroom curriculum and attending teacher training institutes.
Science Olympiad tournaments follow the format of classroom lab tests, popular board games, TV shows, and athletic games. Everyone can find a niche for his or her particular skill in Science Olympiad as each event is designed to take advantage of the wide variety of students' talents. Events are well balanced between the various science disciplines of biology, earth science, chemistry, physics, computers and technology. There is also a balance between events requiring knowledge of science facts, concepts, processes, skills and science applications.
What are the Benefits of Science Olympiad?
A three year Georgia State University study of the impact of Science Olympiad on middle and high school students confirmed significant benefits in the following areas:
Increased in-depth knowledge and understanding of science concepts and general knowledge
An increase in ability to apply scientific knowledge
Greater breadth of knowledge in areas previously unexplored
Exhibit significantly enhanced laboratory skills
Experience science as real scientists would
Use and apply the scientific method with meaning
Begin to see the interrelatedness of the sciences.
Improved problem-solving skills
Application of problem solving skills as a long term endeavor
Education in the importance of trial and error
Emphasis on experiences rather than memorization.
Hands-on training in:
Collaborative and/or creative thinking
Applying critical thinking skills to real-time situations
Constant experimentation to solve problems at hand
Creative application of new ideas
Time management and teamwork.
Who can participate in Science Olympiad?
Any private or public school, charter school or home school in grades 6-12 is eligible to participate.
Middle School students (grades 6-9) compete in Division B.
High School students (grades 9 to 12) compete in Division C.
A team may consists of as many as 15 members.
There is a maximum of five 9th grade students (Division B) and seven 12th grade students (Division C) permitted on a team.
Participation in a Regional Tournament is required for a team to qualify to compete in the New Mexico State Finals.
Qualifying teams (25 per division) will advance to State, with the top State winners in each division advancing to Nationals.
Team coaches are responsible for contacting their regional director as soon as possible for information regarding the regional tournament.
New Mexico Science Olympiad State Final Tournament restricts participation to one team per school. Some regional tournaments allow more than one team per school to participate. There is an additional $25 fee for schools who enter two teams at their regional tournament.
The New Mexico Science Olympiad is the state-level tournament for competition of all qualifying teams at the regional level. New Mexico Science Olympiad winners in both B & C divisions advance to the National Science Olympiad. New Mexico Science Olympiad winners, in both B & C divisions, advance to the National Science Olympiad.
The State Tournament will be held on Saturday, February 19, 2011 at New Mexico Tech, Socorro, New Mexico.
There are two New Mexico Science Olympiad divisions:
Division B-students grades 6 to 9
Division C-grades 9 to 12.
A team may consists of as many as 15 members.
There is a maximum of five 9th grade students (Division B) and seven 12th grade students (Division C) permitted on a team.
To register a team in the New Mexico Science Olympiad, you must complete a registration form. Deadline for registering a team is December 14.
There is a non-refundable registration fee of $125 per team. Please use only one name for the coach/contact person as only one person will receive mailing and be listed as the team's coach.
The registration fee entitles the member school to enter a team of up to 15 students in their respective Regional Science Olympiad tournament and one copy of the Coaches Manual.
There is an additional fee of $25 for schools who wish to enter two teams at their regional tournament.
Pre-payment is required. School purchase orders may accompany the membership application, but the coaches manuals will not be shipped until full payment is received.
Payments not received by December 14, will be assessed a $25 late payment fee.
Coach's Manuals are mailed October 1, no exceptions!.
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