NC Elementary Science Olympiad
https://www.sciencenc.com/resources/elementary/
North Carolina Science Olympiad (NCSO) is a nonprofit organization with the mission to attract students interested in learning more about science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
These tournaments are rigorous academic interscholastic competitions that consist of a series of different hands-on, interactive, challenging and inquiry-based events that are well balanced between the various disciplines of biology, earth science, environmental science, chemistry, physics, engineering and technology. The challenging and self-motivating events of NCSO align with the North Carolina Standard Course of Study as well as the National Science Education Standards. The events are designed to enhance and strengthen both science content and process skills.
After talking with our teachers, students and a few parents, we quickly learned that there was LOTS of interest in learning more about Science Olympiad! Once information is released on this year's 2017-2018 competition, we will begin working to finalize our team of 18 students. 4th, 5th and up to five 6th graders will be able to participate. More information will be sent out later in the year once we know more.
2021 Division A (Elementary) Events List
3, 2, 1, Blast Off! - Prior to the tournament, teams will construct up to two rockets designed to stay aloft for the greatest amount of time. In 2021, the pressure vessel must be a 2-liter bottle.
Animal Adaptations - This event is run half as a station event, and half as a Design Challenge where teams must design a habitat for their animal, or an animal for their habitat. Team members will be asked to answer questions relating to how animals have adapted to their environments.
Backyard Biologist - Teams will be assessed on their knowledge of living organisms that they may encounter in their own backyard. In 2021, the focus will be on trees, plants, and birds. Teams will be required to identify organisms from a provided list and know about the habitat and conditions required for growth of the organisms.
Bridge-a-Roni - This is building event. Prior to the competition, teams will design and build a pasta bridge capable of supporting a load of up to 10 kg. Specific requirements are outlined clearly in the official rules.
Data Crunchers - Data Science is an important part of an engineer or scientist’s ability to understand the world around them. Teams should be able to create and interpret data tables, bar graphs, line graphs, pie charts, and pictographs and perform simple experiments to collect data, graph their results and make predictions.
Describe It, Build It - This is a 2 part event. In the first part, one team member will view a constructed object (k’nex, legos, tinker toys, pipe cleaners, styrofoam bowls, magnets, beads, etc) and write a description of how to build it without using any pictures, diagrams, or symbols. The written description will then be given to their teammate who has not seen the object. Given a corresponding set of materials, the team member will then attempt to rebuild the object from the written description.
Genes R Us - This event is usually run as stations. It may also be done as a sit-down test, or as a powerpoint. Teams will demonstrate an understanding of traits that may or may not be inherited, be able to explain why organisms share similarities and differences, and use Punnett squares to predict inheritance patterns of certain characteristics.
Marshmallow Catapult
Movers & Shakers - Teams will be assessed on their knowledge of earthquakes and volcanoes and related land formations.
ProGamers - Teams of students will use the Scratch programming language to recreate a game being shown to them on a screen in the room.
Pump It Up - Teams will demonstrate knowledge of the circulatory system of the human body.
Ramp and Roll - This is a building event. Teams will build a ramp and vehicle to travel a certain distance and stop as close to the finish line as possible at the tournament.
Rock Star - Teams will demonstrate their knowledge of rocks & minerals, the rock cycle and geologic maps.
Science Charades - Competitors will have 4 minutes to act out and guess up to 40 scientific terms. See the official rules for a complete list of words.
Sky Quest - Teams will be tested on their knowledge of the solar system. Topics include the sun, moon, planets, rotation and revolution, moon phases, seasons, space exploration missions, and identification of constellations/stars/asterisms based on a provided list.
Super Sleuths - Given a mystery scenario, evidence, and a list of possible suspects, teams will be expected to perform a series of tests to draw specific conclusions about the scenario and suspects. The test results along with other evidence will be used to solve the mystery of the scenario.
Weather Permitting - This is typically a station event. Participants will rotate through a series of stations and be asked basic questions on the weather topics outlined in this year’s rules. In 2021 there will be a focus on Everyday Weather.
What's the Matter? - This event will run as stations. Teams will rotate through stations, perform tasks and answer questions about the physical properties of matter and the behavior of solids, liquids, and gases before and after they undergo changes or interactions.
Animal Adaptations - This event is run half as a station event, and half as a Design Challenge where teams must design a habitat for their animal, or an animal for their habitat. Team members will be asked to answer questions relating to how animals have adapted to their environments.
Backyard Biologist - Teams will be assessed on their knowledge of living organisms that they may encounter in their own backyard. In 2021, the focus will be on trees, plants, and birds. Teams will be required to identify organisms from a provided list and know about the habitat and conditions required for growth of the organisms.
Bridge-a-Roni - This is building event. Prior to the competition, teams will design and build a pasta bridge capable of supporting a load of up to 10 kg. Specific requirements are outlined clearly in the official rules.
Data Crunchers - Data Science is an important part of an engineer or scientist’s ability to understand the world around them. Teams should be able to create and interpret data tables, bar graphs, line graphs, pie charts, and pictographs and perform simple experiments to collect data, graph their results and make predictions.
Describe It, Build It - This is a 2 part event. In the first part, one team member will view a constructed object (k’nex, legos, tinker toys, pipe cleaners, styrofoam bowls, magnets, beads, etc) and write a description of how to build it without using any pictures, diagrams, or symbols. The written description will then be given to their teammate who has not seen the object. Given a corresponding set of materials, the team member will then attempt to rebuild the object from the written description.
Genes R Us - This event is usually run as stations. It may also be done as a sit-down test, or as a powerpoint. Teams will demonstrate an understanding of traits that may or may not be inherited, be able to explain why organisms share similarities and differences, and use Punnett squares to predict inheritance patterns of certain characteristics.
Marshmallow Catapult
Movers & Shakers - Teams will be assessed on their knowledge of earthquakes and volcanoes and related land formations.
ProGamers - Teams of students will use the Scratch programming language to recreate a game being shown to them on a screen in the room.
Pump It Up - Teams will demonstrate knowledge of the circulatory system of the human body.
Ramp and Roll - This is a building event. Teams will build a ramp and vehicle to travel a certain distance and stop as close to the finish line as possible at the tournament.
Rock Star - Teams will demonstrate their knowledge of rocks & minerals, the rock cycle and geologic maps.
Science Charades - Competitors will have 4 minutes to act out and guess up to 40 scientific terms. See the official rules for a complete list of words.
Sky Quest - Teams will be tested on their knowledge of the solar system. Topics include the sun, moon, planets, rotation and revolution, moon phases, seasons, space exploration missions, and identification of constellations/stars/asterisms based on a provided list.
Super Sleuths - Given a mystery scenario, evidence, and a list of possible suspects, teams will be expected to perform a series of tests to draw specific conclusions about the scenario and suspects. The test results along with other evidence will be used to solve the mystery of the scenario.
Weather Permitting - This is typically a station event. Participants will rotate through a series of stations and be asked basic questions on the weather topics outlined in this year’s rules. In 2021 there will be a focus on Everyday Weather.
What's the Matter? - This event will run as stations. Teams will rotate through stations, perform tasks and answer questions about the physical properties of matter and the behavior of solids, liquids, and gases before and after they undergo changes or interactions.