Teaching Science with Science Olympiad

Science Olympiad makes a great extracurricular activity for students already interested in science. But, what if Science Olympiad could be used as a classroom curriculum that helps build student interest in science? Two people on your Oregon Science Olympiad team, Ashley da Silva and Frank Straub, will be piloting a Science Olympiad class at Seven Oak Middle School in Lebanon, Oregon. We believe this class will succeed because it addresses:

1. Motivation. We feel that Science Olympiad provides a balance of cooperation and competition that could be highly motivating to students. Anyone who has seen students working on Science Olympiad challenges during lunch hours, after school, and on weekends would agree! The challenges are, well, challenging, so that students must problem-solve their way through.

2. Multiple intelligences. Building events, laboratory events, and knowledge events all require different skill sets. Practicing Science Olympiad events can help students uncover their intelligences. A single Science Olympiad team cannot succeed without using and appreciating all talents. This is a valuable classroom and life lesson.

3. Making connections. In order to be successful in the science and engineering careers that are in demand for America's future, they must know about science and engineering careers. That may have seemed like an obvious statement, but often classrooms function as separate worlds from the outside community. Science Olympiad is a project worthy of community investment, and businesses and professional organizations can help teams learn about their specialties.

We will be posting class materials and ideas that we think you may find useful as a science teacher and/or a Science Olympiad coach.

State of Oregon Standards Alignment for 2011 Events

Interested in starting your own Science Olympiad class? E-mail Ashley da Silva or Frank Straub if you'd like some helpful advice, or to share your own experiences!