Ohio Science Olympiad

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The Science Olympiad was created in 1983 by Dr. Gerard J. Putz and Jack Cairns to increase the interest in science and as an alternative to traditional science fairs and single-discipline tournaments. After successful trial olympiads were held in their respective states of Michigan and Delaware, the Science Olympiad began to grow. The Olympiad has members in all 50 states totaling more than 12,000 actively participating K-12 schools.
WHAT IS THE SCIENCE OLYMPIAD
The Science Olympiad is a national nonprofit 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 accomplished through classroom activities, research, training workshops and the encouragement of intramural, district, regional, state, and national tournaments. The Science Olympiad Tournaments are academic interscholastic competitions, which consist of a series of twenty-three individual and team events students prepare for during the year. The competitions follow the format of popular board games, TV shows, and athletic games. These challenging and motivational 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 application.
Although the Science Olympiad is a competitive event, most events are team competitions which 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 works of Bill Koch (Olympiad cross-country ski medal winner) who said "Winning isn't everything. The striving for excellence is - it's the trying and caring that is important - winning is a bonus."
DIVISION/GRADE LEVELS/TEAM COMPOSITION
Currently, there are four Science Olympiad Divisions: Division A1 - grades K-3; Division A2 - grades 3-6; Division B - grades 6-9; and Division C - grades 9-12. A maximum of five ninth grade for Division B and seven twelfth grade students for Division C on a team is permitted. Middle schools may invite five of their last year's eighth grade students to be part of the team. There will be no national or state tournaments for Division A - schools may wish to initiate local, school district, or regional competitions.
A team consists of a maximum of 15 students. Only one team per division per school may compete. Schools with less than 200 students may combine with another small school (total attendance of both schools not to exceed 500 students) in order to create one team of 15 students.
AWARDS
First, second, and third place olympic style medals will be given for each event at the state and national tournaments. Place 4-6 medals will again be awarded by the Science Education Council of Ohio. In addition, championship trophies will be awarded to the Division B and C school teams compiling the most total points during the state Olympiad tournaments. A team may participate in one or all of the events within its division.

The Science Olympiad was created in 1983 by Dr. Gerard J. Putz and Jack Cairns to increase the interest in science and as an alternative to traditional science fairs and single-discipline tournaments. After successful trial olympiads were held in their respective states of Michigan and Delaware, the Science Olympiad began to grow. The Olympiad has members in all 50 states totaling more than 12,000 actively participating K-12 schools.

WHAT IS THE SCIENCE OLYMPIAD

The Science Olympiad is a national nonprofit 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 accomplished through classroom activities, research, training workshops and the encouragement of intramural, district, regional, state, and national tournaments. The Science Olympiad Tournaments are academic interscholastic competitions, which consist of a series of twenty-three individual and team events students prepare for during the year. The competitions follow the format of popular board games, TV shows, and athletic games. These challenging and motivational 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 application.

Although the Science Olympiad is a competitive event, most events are team competitions which 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 works of Bill Koch (Olympiad cross-country ski medal winner) who said "Winning isn't everything. The striving for excellence is - it's the trying and caring that is important - winning is a bonus."

DIVISION/GRADE LEVELS/TEAM COMPOSITION

Currently, there are four Science Olympiad Divisions: Division A1 - grades K-3; Division A2 - grades 3-6; Division B - grades 6-9; and Division C - grades 9-12. A maximum of five ninth grade for Division B and seven twelfth grade students for Division C on a team is permitted. Middle schools may invite five of their last year's eighth grade students to be part of the team. There will be no national or state tournaments for Division A - schools may wish to initiate local, school district, or regional competitions.

A team consists of a maximum of 15 students. Only one team per division per school may compete. Schools with less than 200 students may combine with another small school (total attendance of both schools not to exceed 500 students) in order to create one team of 15 students.

AWARDS

First, second, and third place olympic style medals will be given for each event at the state and national tournaments. Place 4-6 medals will again be awarded by the Science Education Council of Ohio. In addition, championship trophies will be awarded to the Division B and C school teams compiling the most total points during the state Olympiad tournaments. A team may participate in one or all of the events within its division.