Elementary Science Olympiad Hawaii is the arm of the Hawaii State Science Olympiad that challenges and inspires students in grades 3 – 6 throughout the State of Hawai‘i.

Hawaii State Science Olympiad will now offer an Elementary Science Olympiad (Division A) for students in grades 3 – 6 for the 2013 -2014 school year. The tournament will take place at Le Jardin Academy in the spring of 2014. Please fill out the survey so we can use your input to help plan the tournament.

The Science Olympiad is a national nonprofit organization devoted to improving the quality of science education, increasing student interest in science, and providing recognition for outstanding achievement in science education by both students and teachers. The Elementary Science Olympiad is also designed to encourage classroom teachers to explore new and challenging ways of teaching science. The Science Olympiad tournaments are academic interscholastic competitions which consist of a series of individual and team events which students prepare for during the year. Most Science Olympiad events are team competitions which require teamwork, group planning and cooperation. The emphasis is on learning, participation, interaction, and having fun.

A competitive Elementary Science Olympiad (ESO) for Grades 3-6 will not only get kids in the district ready for the competitive Division B program for Grades 6 – 9, it’s also a wonderful supplement to any school’s science curriculum. At the same time you cover the skeletal system, students preparing for an ESO contest can study A is for Anatomy or No Bones About It. Many teachers use the competitive ESO events to add a hands-on element to their classroom schedule.

Elementary Tournament Big Picture

During an elementary Science Olympiad tournament, 18 events are run in three different time periods. A sample tournament schedule is given below:

Times	Events
7:45 – 8:25	Registration
8:30 – 8:55	Opening Ceremony
Period 1 (9:00 – 10:10 a.m.)	A is for Anatomy
	Write It/Do It
	Elements, Compounds and Mixtures
	Fossil Find
	Can Race
	Water Rockets
Period 2 (10:20 – 11:30 a.m.	Barge Building
	Starry, Starry Night
	Weather or Not
	Secret Structures
	Rubber Band Catapult
	Straw Egg Drop
Period 3 (11:40 a.m. – 12:50 p.m.)	Reflection Relay
	Map Reading
	Scavenger Hunt
	Bridge-a-roni
	Chopper Challenge
	Circuit Wizardry
1:00 – 1:45 p.m.	Lunch
1:45 – 2:15 p.m.	Closing/Awards Ceremony

Teams of up to fifteen students prepare throughout the year to compete in an elementary tournament. Any given team may have only one entry per event. An entry is a team of up to 2 out of 15 students competing in any one event as the representatives of their team. Teams may compete in as many of as few events as they wish at the tournament.

How much does it cost?

Membership per Year – $75 per team (2013-2014). This fee covers a coaches’ manual, coaches clinic as well as materials, resources, trophies, medals, and other expenses for the tournament.
The rest of the costs are very dependent on the event. Events that require building something do involve more expenses; however, at the elementary level these costs are nominal. Most materials for practicing for events can be found in schools, garages, and the internet. A ROUGH estimate of the supplies needed for one team would be no more than $200 NOT including the membership per year.

Why should students be involved with Elementary Science Olympiad in Hawai‘i?

Now, more than ever, Hawai‘i’s students must improve their performance in science. This is especially true at the elementary level where students are building their knowledge base that will serve as a gateway for future science courses and ultimately career choices. It is particularly important in Hawai‘i that elementary students have more opportunities for gaining knowledge and understanding in science with the imposing standardized testing of science which has made its way into public elementary schools in Hawai‘i.

With the new testing in science, it is not the goal to take away any teaching time from the basics or any other subject, but instead enrich and enhance the opportunities in science education for elementary school students. The elementary years are important for influencing young students’ perceptions about science. It is during these years that students, if taught science in a hands-on, problem-based manner, begin to develop important lifelong science literacy skills, such as problem solving, critical thinking, self-regulated learning and team work. With the added pressure of testing and future occupations moving rapidly in the direction of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, it is important that students and educators benefit from every opportunity they are given to further their science education. The Elementary Science Olympiad will improve the learning of science for all students and celebrate their efforts.

There’s no Elementary Science Olympiad tournament close to me. What can I do?

The Science Olympiad is seeking sites (and organizers) that are willing to host Elementary Science Olympiad Tournaments. We would like to invite any interested teachers, schools, school systems, counties, home school organizations, non-profits, PTAs, and other interested groups to develop an Elementary Science Olympiad tournament for their students and children in their local areas.Elementary Science Olympiad Tournaments could be just for an individual school or group, or could benefit an entire county or school system. For example, a school PTA could organize an Elementary Science Olympiad Tournament for just its school or could invite other local schools to participate. Further, a non-profit group or home school organization could offer an Elementary Science Olympiad Tournament for a certain area or to only those children they serve.

via: http://www.hsso.org/