Science Olympiad Event Descriptions
2009 Washtenaw Elementary Science Olympiad Event Descriptions
A Is for Anatomy (all grades): Each team will view models, slides, and pictures of organs and tissues from the human body. They will identify and explain the function of each.
Barge Building (2nd grade): Participants will construct a barge using aluminum foil that can support a cargo of the largest number of weighted objects (e.g. pennies) without getting them wet.
Chopper Challenge (4th and 5th grades): Contestants will build and test three choppers (rotary flying devices) using only the materials provided at the competition.
Circuit Wizardry (4th and 5th grades): Circuit Wizardry tests participants’ knowledge of basic electrical circuit concepts, components, schematic reading and understanding, and ability to design and build a simple circuit from a functional description.
Estimania (all grades): Measurement is a key component in science. Teams will be asked to either estimate or calculate answers to ten questions of measurement. Types of measurement include area, time, speed, height, length, weight, volume, and temperature.
Map Reading (all grades): Students will test their map reading skills to answer geographical questions. They will answer questions using various kinds of maps.
Monster Match (2nd grade): Students will demonstrate their ability to categorize by identifying similar characteristics.
Mystery Architecture (all grades): Each team will be given a bag of materials (such as paper, tape, styrofoam, and paper clips) to build a structure that can support a tennis ball. The tallest structure wins.
Pentathlon (all grades): Physical skills are combined with science questions in an obstacle course, 5-student, relay race, where each student passes an object to the next student.
Puff Mobiles (2nd and 3rd grades): Each team will build a puff mobile out of beads (for wheels), a straw, straight pins, and a piece of paper. Teams will “puff” their mobile six times. The mobile that is puffed the farthest wins.
Rock Hound (all grades): Team members will be presented with sample rocks and asked a set of multiple choice questions about each, such as: What type of rock is it? How is it used? How does it react with other compounds.
Science Jeopardy (4th and 5th grades): This game will be played much like the television version of Jeopardy, but with science categories. A team will choose a category and a level of difficulty from the game board and view and listen to an answer to a question. The first team to respond with an appropriate question for the answer will be awarded points and choose the next topic and level.
Sink or Float (2nd grade): Each team will predict what might happen to various objects as they are placed into a bowl of water.
Straw Tower (3rd, 4th, and 5th grades): Each team of two will build a tower using up to 50 drinking straws and 20 straight pins. The winner will be determined by the proportion of strength to height (i.e. the team with the tallest, strongest structure will win).
Water Rockets (3rd, 4th, and 5th grades): Students will build a rocket, in advance, out of a 2-liter soda bottle, making alterations and adding a parachute to help it stay aloft. The rocket that stays in the air the longest will be the winner.
What Went By? (2nd and 3rd grades): A team of two students will be tested on animals which have become extinct or are on the endangered list, and the reasons behind the animals’ extinction or endangered status.
Write It, Build It (4th and 5th grades): Half of team will be shown a “picture” composed of various pieces and will write a description of it. In a separate room, the other half of the team will be given the pieces of the “picture” and their team members’ written description and attempt to reconstruct the picture. The team with the most pieces placed correctly wins. This event tests competitor’s ability to clearly communicate in writing and follow written directions.