ELEMENTARY SCIENCE OLYMPICS
MCSD will host the Elementary Science Olympics Saturday, May 17, 2008, at
Columbus High. Various events will take place between the hours of 9:00 am
and 12:00 pm. An awards ceremony will be held at 12:45 pm. Participants
include students from the third, fourth, and fifth grade.
The Science Olympics is devoted to improving the quality of science
education, increasing student interest in science and providing recognition
for outstanding achievement in science education by both students and
teachers. It is also designed to encourage classroom teachers to explore new
and challenging ways of teaching science. These goals are accomplished
through classroom activities, research, training workshops, and the
encouragement of intramural, district, and regional tournaments.
The tournaments are academic interscholastic competitions that consist of
a series of individual and team events, which students prepare for during
the year. These challenging and motivational events are well balanced
between the various science disciplines of life science, earth science, and
physical science. There is also a balance between events requiring knowledge
of science facts, concepts, processes, skills, and applications. The events
were chosen because of their strong relationship to existing elementary
science curriculum. A total of 17 events will take place this weekend.
Event List
Science Bowl
Knock, Knock, Who’s there?
Map Reading
Estimania
A is for Anatomy
Barge Building
Aerodynamics
Write It/Do It
Metric Power
Weather or Not?
Wildlife Safari
Mystery Architecture
Surf the Net
Name That Organism
Egg Drop
Triathlon
Water Rockets
Although some events require an individual from one team to compete
against other individuals from other teams, most events require teamwork,
group planning, and cooperation. The emphasis is on learning, participation,
interaction, having fun, and developing team spirit. Coaches and students
are reminded of the words of Bill Koch (Olympic Cross Country Ski medal
winner) who said, "Winning isn't everything. The striving for excellence is.
It's the trying and the caring that is important. Winning is a bonus."
