In grades 6-12, Science Olympiad functions much like a football or soccer team, requiring preparation, commitment, coaching and practice throughout the year. Each school-based team is allowed to bring 15 students who cross-train for a variety of events in their skill set, but some school clubs and boast more than 75 members, allowing for a rich apprentice and mentoring system for all involved.

Science Olympiad competitions are like academic track meets, consisting of a series of 23 team events in each division (Division B is middle school; Division C is high school). Each year, a portion of the events are rotated to reflect the ever-changing nature of genetics, earth science, chemistry, anatomy, physics, geology, mechanical engineering and technology. By combining events from all disciplines, Science Olympiad encourages a wide cross-section of students to get involved. Emphasis is placed on active, hands-on group participation. Through Science Olympiad, students, teachers, parents, principals and business leaders bond together and work toward a shared goal.

Teamwork is a required skill in most scientific careers today, and Science Olympiad encourages group learning by designing events that forge alliances. In Elevated Bridge, an engineering whiz and a kid from wood shop can become gold medalists. Similarly, a talented builder and a student with a good science vocabulary can excel in Write It Do It, one of Science Olympiad's most popular events.

The culmination of more than 280 regional and state tournaments is the Science Olympiad National Tournament, held at a different university every year. This rotating system gives kids a chance to visit new parts of the country, to tour colleges they might consider for their undergraduate studies, and provides a memorable experience to last a lifetime.

The club will meet on scheduled Mondays from 4:15-5:30. Additional meeting times may be scheduled at the student's request prior to events and competitions. The schedule for meetings will be determined once teams are set. Not all students are required to meet on Mondays after school unless their event coach will be there to provide assistance with the event planning. Any team members can coordinate to meet on Mondays if they are not able to meet outside of school to prepare for their event but they must bring all required materials with them. Students who are not using meeting times to prepare for their events will be asked to return to the YMCA's after school zone.

All club members must also be registered for the YMCA's after school program.

YMCA applications can be picked up from the front office.

• To create a passion for learning science by supporting elementary and secondary Science Olympiad tournaments at building, district, county, state and national levels with an emphasis on teamwork and a commitment to excellence.
  
• To improve the quality of K-12 science education throughout the nation by changing the way science is perceived and the way it is taught (with an emphasis on problem solving and hands-on, minds-on constructivist learning practices). This goal is accomplished through in-depth core curriculum training workshops and the distribution of curriculum materials.
  
• To celebrate and recognize the outstanding achievement of both students and teachers in the areas of science and technology by awarding thousand of certificates, medals, trophies and scholarships.
  
• To promote partnerships among community, businesses, industry, government and education.
  

• To bring science to life, to show how science works, to emphasize problem solving aspects of science and the understanding of science concepts.
  
• To develop teamwork and cooperative learning strategies among students.
  
• To make science education more exciting so more students will enroll in science courses and engage in other science activities like science reading, fairs, meetings and field trips.
  
• To promote high levels of achievement and a commitment to excellence, to demonstrate that American students can perform at levels that surpasses expectations of even practicing scientists and engineers.
  
• To attract more students particularly females and minorities to professional and technical careers in science, technology and science teaching.
  

Biology Events

1. Anatomy & Physiology - Teams will be tested on their knowledge of anatomy and health concepts including skeletal, muscular, and integumentary systems.
2. Disease Detective - Students will use their investigative skills in the scientific study of disease, injury, health and disability in populations or groups of people with a focus on Population Growth.
3. Ecology - Teams will answer questions involving content knowledge and process skills in the area of ecology and adaptations in featured North American biomes.
4. Invasive Species - This event will test student knowledge of invasive species in local and national ecosystems.
5. Microbe Mission - Teams will answer questions, solve problems, and analyze data pertaining to microbes.

Earth Science Events

1. Dynamic Planet - Teams will work at stations that display a variety of earth science materials and related earth science questions. Content will focus on physical and geological oceanography. Will focus on NGSS Science and Engineering Practices.
2. Meteorology - Teams will use science process skills to demonstrate a multidiscipinary understanding of the Earth systems and anthropogenic factors that influence world climate. Focus on everyday weather.
3. Reach for the Stars - Students will demonstrate an understanding and basic knowledge of the properties and evolution of extraterrestrial ice and water in the solar system
4. Road Scholar - Requires the accurate interpretation and understanding of various map features using a variety of road maps, topographic maps, internet-generated maps, or satellite/aerial images.
5. Rocks and Minerals - Teams will demonstrate their knowledge of rocks and minerals.

Chemistry Events

1. Crime Busters - Given a scenario, a collection of evidence, and possible suspects, students will perform a series of tests. The test results along with other evidence will be used to solve a crime.
2. Food Science - Using their understanding of the chemistry and physical properties of baking ingredients, teams will answer questions at a series of stations.

Physics Events

1. Hovercraft - Competitors may construct a self-propelled air-levitated vehicle with up to two battery-powered motors that turn one propeller each to levitate and move the vehicle down a track. Competitors must also be tested on their knowledge of classic mechanics and related topics.
2. Optics - In this event, competitors must demonstrate knowledge and process skills needed to solve problems and answer questions regarding all types and areas of waves and wave motion.
3. Wind Power - Teams will build a blade assembly that consists of any kind of propeller/pinwheel/rotor attached to a compact disc (CD), which will be used to capture wind power. Students will also be tested on their knowledge regarding alternative energy.

Technology/Build Events

1. Mission Possible - Prior to the competition, participants will design, build, test and document a "Rube Goldberg-like device" that completes a required Final Task using a sequence of consecutive energy transfers.
2. Scrambler - Competitors must design, build, and test a mechanical device, which uses the energy from a falling mass to transport an egg along a track as quickly as possible and stop as close to the center of a terminal barrier without breaking the egg.
3. Towers - Prior to the competition, teams will design and build a Tower meeting requirements specified in these rules to achieve the highest structural efficiency.
4. Wright Stuff - Students will design, build and test two elastic launched gliders capable of the highest time aloft.

Inquiry/Nature of Science Events

1. Bottle Rocket - Prior to the tournament, teams construct two rockets designed to stay aloft for the greatest amount of time.
2. Experimental Design - Given a set of unknown objects, teams will design, conduct, analyze and write-up an experiment.
3. Fast Facts - Teams will fill in a grid of terms that begin with a given letter to match given science categories.
4. Write It/Do It - A technical writing exercise where students write a description of a contraption and other students will attempt to recreate it using only the written description.