Georgia Science Olympiad: NSF Evaluation Project

Georgia Science Olympiad: Grades K - 5

Program Description and Materials
There are no State Science Olympiad standards for these programs. The program can be adapted as necessary to meet local needs and interests. There are several successful model programs for grades 3-5 (see Activity in Georgia, below) that systems are encouraged to consider.

The grades K-3 program is often referred to as the "Fun Day" program. This is a non-competitive program that is usually contained within a single school. Using the Science Olympiad Fun Day Coaches Manual (available from the State Director for $14. ppd) and/or other resources, small groups of children develop modest hands-on science activities. On Fun Day, these groups demonstrate and explain their various activities to their classmates. The Fun Day program allows children to work together on preparing their activity and explaining it to their classmates.

The grades 3-5 (or 3-6 if more appropriate in a system) is referred to as "Elementary Science Olympiad". The model we are encouraging would be for a school system (or group of small school sytems). It is a scaled-down version of the grades 6-9 and 9-12 competitions.

At the beginning of the school year, participating teachers each suggest several "events" to be included in that year's program. The events can be selected from the Elementary Science Olympiad Coaches Manual (available from the State Director for $23. ppd) and/or other resources. A committee selects the year's 18 events from these suggestions making sure to provide good balance from among the subject areas.

Teams of about 18 students prepare to compete in the selected events. The competition takes place on a school day from about 9:30 - 1:30. The competition is directed by a science coordinator or teacher and the events are run by teachers or members of the community. Local businesses can provide funds for medals, ribbons and trophies. At this age level, the competition aspect is minimized while the celebration aspects are emphasized.

Activity in Georgia
Because there has been no regional or statewide organization for K-3 and 3-5 programs, we aren't aware of all the places it exists nor the level of intensity at each of those places but we are actively seeking such information. None-the-less, we will hold an invitational grades 3-5 "state" tournament (see below) on May 14, 2005.

There is GYSTC sponsored K-3 and 3-5 activity in several parts of the State and interested teachers are encouraged to contact Tina Knight at 770-528-4978 or tknight@spsu.edu for further information concerning such activity and local training.

A DeKalb/metro-Atlanta grades 3-5 invitational tournament has been held since 1998. Interested teachers should contact Michael Dowling at 678-874-7158 or email michael.dowling@fernbank.edu. To bring a team to this tournament (assuming space is available) the coach must take responsibility for developing and supervising one of the events that day.

Training
Teachers or administrators interested in obtaining training for themselves or their schools or systems are encouraged to contact the State Director. We can advise of training opportunities that already exist in your area or help arrange specialized training.

State Tournament
Our fourth annual elementary Science Olympiad State Invitational Tournament is scheduled for May 14, 2005 at Kennesaw State University. Teams from across the State will participate. Teams of up to 18 students will compete in 18 events. Each team may contain up to eight fifth plus sixth graders but no more than three sixth graders. If you have interest in participating in this tournament, contact Dr. Thomas Brown, the tournament director, at 770-499-3215 or email tbrown@kennesaw.edu or visit http://webtech.kennesaw.edu/tbrown