RLC PTO Science Olympiad 2019: Parent Info Session

1. Welcome to RLC PTO Science Olympiad 2019 Parent Information Session

2. What is VASO – Division A • It is a sister organization to the Virginia Science Olympiad (VASO) • A friendly competition designed for 3-5 grade students to experience STEM • This is an introduction to middle school (Division B) and high-school (Division C) Science Olympiad programs 

3. School Team Structure • A team is defined as a group of students residing within the same school • Teams may not be comprised of students from different schools • A team may be up to 45 students. • Students in grades 3-5 are eligible to participate in division A. • VASO writeS and runS THEIR own competition based on and mirroring the Science Olympiad competition

4. • May 4,2019 • September • Release of EventRules • CoachesMeeting • Event SupervisorTrainings • October12 • June1 • School registrationcloses • Roster NumbersDue. • Events assigned to schools • Schools Registrationsbegin • July1 • Apply for FacilitySpace • November2 • PaymentDue • Team rosterdue • Deadline for turning in event tests for review andediting • Building Event Supervisors Meeting • July8 • PortalAccounts • Student/Parent Registration opens • August11 • NewSchools/Coaches Meeting

5. Sample Schedule

6. VolunteerRequirement • EachSchoolwillrun at leastoneeventandwillprovidethe necessaryvolunteerstohelprunthecompetitionbasedon theseparameters: • 15studentteam:2EventSupervisors-1ParentVolunteertohelpwithevents 16 -30students:2EventSupervisors-2ParentVolunteerstohelpwithevents • 31studentsormore:2EventSupervisors-3ParentVolunteerstohelpwith events • Parentsmaynotvolunteerforaneventtheirownchildhas entered. • Volunteershelpingwithaneventmuststaywiththe event supervisoruntilallexamshavebeengraded.

7. Volunteer Training • Event SupervisorTrainings • Willsetuptwobuildingeventtrainingdays inSeptember • Split the testing event trainings overthe twodays

8. Volunteer Opportunities • TEAM MENTOR • Running an event (event supervisor) • Scoring ROOM (grading test) • Meet and greet table • Cleanup • Setup • Awards

9. EVENT Coaching • The students retain control of the process of preparing for a Science Olympiad event. • Coaches can best prepare their teams for the competition by teaching underlying principles and skills, suggesting ideas, and advice on methods, tools or materials to accomplish the task. • Individual team will bear cost of materials that they may use to do a practice drill at home. • It is recommended that coaches and their teams meet once a week or so to practice for their event.

10. Event Writing guidelines (event Supervisor) • Student ages are 8-10 years on day of event • Do not write a test that will take longer than 30 minutes • (the more you assign, the more you have to grade) • Have a way to break ties • Do not deviate from the rules • Make it as hands-on and fun as possible • Do not write questions that need an essay to answer unless there is no other way to find out what students know

11. RLC PTO - Science Olympiad Registration • First come First Serve (subject to VASO cap of 45 students per school) • Fee is due at the time of registration • Per student fee is UNDETERMINED BUT WILL RANGE FROM $45 TO $60 - to cover registration, RLC VASO T-shirt and other event and administration costs • If any money is leftover - it will be used to recognize school winners • No Refunds • Registration – online and via checks (payable to “RLC PTO”)

13. Next steps… • Research more on the events at https://sites.google.com/site/vasodivisiona/home • an email will be sent next week that gives registration opening date and link for online registration. • Complete registration when it opens by filling in student details along with the registration fee. • Get kids excited and ready to have fun while they learn!!!