TIPS FOR ALL EVENTS

	Make them easy and fast to grade. If you are running an event the last part of the day, be aware that scoring needs to be especially quick since the awards program usually takes place as soon as possible after the events end.
	DON’T MAKE THE event TOO long…it’s okay if they finish before the time period ends. This is a common problem with first time event leaders. MAKE IT SHORTER than you think you should. Also, be sure to design your event so that it lends itself to being "placeable".  By this we mean the event must have something that can be graded and that will produce a score for each team.
	Be sure to have some place on the answer sheet or event materials for the students to write their team/school name and their names.
	Prepare answer sheets that can be scored quickly. Do not hesitate to use multiple choice type questions or questions with simple answers that are one word or a few words as well as short answer questions. Some events lend themselves to identifying unknowns, etc.
	Be sure to read to see if the rules provide recommendations for breaking ties. TIES MUST BE BROKEN. The best way to break ties is to select parts of your event or certain questions to use. Score all parts of the event and then if ties exist, use the team’s score on the part of the event you selected. It would be good to have more than one area selected in case a tie exists after the first tie breaker is used. TIME IS NOT A TIE BREAKER in content based events.
	WHATEVER you do, it is critical to be sure that all teams receive the same testing conditions.

Deciding How to Run an Event 

Four formats for running an event will be presented for your consideration. Find your event in the list below to see possible recommendations for the best format to use, then scroll farther down the page to see a description of that format.

Method One – Station/ Rotational Format

	This method is much easier in some ways since the teams involved would simply rotate through the event answering 1 to maybe 4 questions per station.  This type of set up works really well with an answer sheet per team being all that is required for grading.
	Care should be taken to try to design each station to require about the same amount of time. Usually 14 to 16 stations are quite sufficient which means about 2 to 3 minutes per station.
	If more teams are present than stations, simple have either rest stations periodically in the room or have some teams wait to enter the rotation.
	Number your locations and arrange them so that the students can quickly and easily move from one location to the next one.  Make sure that everyone has writing utensils, extra paper, and any other required materials before they enter the room.
	You should call your roll outside the room since it is already set up with questions on the tables or desks. An alternative method is to have all of the questions faced down until you are ready to begin. It is important that no one has seen the questions before you begin.
	They must take their answer sheet and writing materials with them as they move. Remind them to look only at their own answer sheet and to keep any conversations at a whisper so that they do not let others hear their answers.
	It is advisable to tape down the question sheets at each location.
	The event leader must choose the length of time between locations and make sure that it remains exactly the same throughout the entire contest. The number of teams present determines the length of time. Our regional may have as many as 25 teams. This may limit the time to 2 minutes per location. This will allow barely enough time for check-in and instructions in a 90-minute block. Some events have allowed only one minute per location when only an hour is available in the event period. Try to choose a time that will give students the maximum time without causing you problems.
	The event can not run overtime. That would be a serious problem.
	Tell them that anyone tampering with the materials in an effort to confuse or delay other teams will be disqualified from the event. It is very important that each team find the questions and materials in the same order as all other teams.

Method Two – Stationary Format

	This method is very similar to the more typical test that students are accustomed to BUT should include applications and hands on as much as possible. The Science Olympiad discourages paper and pencil testing that resembles tests given in a classroom setting.
	This type of event preparation should also include graphs, diagrams to interpret, observations to make about a set up of some type, interpret information presented in a video, questions about a demonstration that might be performed for the entire group, etc. This requires more preparation as far as copies of the event, etc. CAUTION: This type of event is usually slower to grade and this must be considered when preparing the event.
	A student or team of students will sit in one location for the duration of the contest. All of the questions and materials that they will use are at that location. They may be provided with an answer sheet so that they do not mark on the questions or other materials.
	The event leader should design enough questions for the event period, an answer sheet and key. Make sure that you know the number of teams in advance, so that there will be enough copies and locations for the teams to sit.
	The event leaders usually make the copies that they will need. If your Regional Director has agreed to make copies for you, make sure that he/she has received all materials that are to be copied well in-advance of the tournament date.
	Each team must have all of the questions, pictures, specimens, etc at their disposal. If the event period is 90 minutes, prepare questions that should take about 60 minutes to complete. If the period is 60 minutes, try for 45 minutes.
	There is a tendency for some event leaders to lean toward a written test with recall answers. Some events have one part that consists of test questions but it is the philosophy of the Science Olympiad to emphasize process skills and mental challenges. Events run this way may contain some recall-type questions, but most questions should emphasize critical thinking and reasoning.  Questions that ask students to observe, describe, evaluate, analyze, apply, predict, interpret, classify, measure, infer, hypothesize, explain, and make judgments should be used.
	When these events are completed it is important to get a team of assistants to help you score the answer sheets as quickly as possible.

Method Three – Lab Practical Set Up

	This method is something of a combination of the first two methods where the team has its own set of materials or equipment with which to perform an experiment or whatever is required. While the team does NOT rotate through stations, this is like that method in that each team has a set of materials. Obviously this requires more set up on the part of the event leader and should be a factor that is strongly considered in terms of the room in which the event is held, number of teams competing, etc. The event leader could have 3 sets of 6 or 8 identical stations, and the teams know they must complete one station in each set.  If more than one lab station will be completed by students during the contest, it is important to have multiples of each station so that every team has the same amount of time at each station and no one has to wait on another team. Therefore it is important to know the maximum number of teams that will participate well in advance of the tournament date.
	Materials, tools, and supplies (such as water, pH paper, reagents, etc.) are placed at marked locations for their use during the labs.
	Safety is a critical issue and student must wear the designated safety equipment at all times in the lab.
	It is important that the event leader have everything ready-to-go.
	After the initial instructions, the leader should circulate throughout the lab to observe students, answer questions, and provide for their safety.  It is a good idea to have an extra set for each station in the event of an accident.
	Be sure to warn students about safety and tell them that anyone tampering with the supplies to hinder the work of other teams will be disqualified immediately.
	Most lab events are usually scheduled earlier in the day to give you sufficient time to score the results, but it is still important to get the results to the scorers as soon as possible.

Method Four- Construction/Performance Format

	Some of these events require students to construct a device prior to the tournament and others have students build a device during the competition.
	It is very important for the event leader to be very familiar with the specifications for the device. Think about exceptions and challenges to these rules and call us prior to the contest if you have questions. Make special note of the events that require impounding.
	Typically devices can fall apart of get slightly damaged while traveling on activity busses. If a team shows up with a device that does not meet all specs, we generally let them make minor corrections on the spot (if this does not give them an unfair advantage). Usually this is as simple as something sticking out of the device that can be tucked in or removed. If we can allow students to make simple corrections (quickly), we would rather do this and let them compete rather than send them away in a "cold-hearted" fashion.
	If a device is unsafe but could be made safe by the removal of some part or object, we usually allow the student to do this and continue. This must be done prior to operation. If a device becomes unsafe during the event, we must stop it at that point. We do not compromise safety.
	If the team can not get their device to meet all specifications, then most events have a provision for them to continue to compete if the device will work. However, none of the devices that fail to meet specs are allowed to rank higher that any device that did meet the specs. Make sure that you are clear on this point for your event. If a device will not operate at all it is still important to record that the team did show up with a device and participated. Be sure to record any team that was absent from your event.
	Since each event is so different, read the following instructions for your event. Keep in mind that the event may vary greatly between the B (middle school) and C (high school) divisions.