PC Science Olympiad - Event Supervisors

Review rules and regulations. Event supervisors must study/review content to provide a college/graduate-level exam that must address each specific content area at the highest level - including the students' ability to analyze, evaluate and synthesize (create) knowledge in the field.
Event Supervisors study the content topic, write a test, respond to feedback from exam TD, proctor event, grade event, enter scores into SciLympiad.

Impact of our Science Olympiad event:

The Science Olympiad event fits in perfectly with the community outreach part of the Perimeter College mission, as well as supporting the GA and the national STEM initiatives.
We get many High Schools and their best students on our campus to see what we do, what we can offer, show off our talents, and hopefully get them thinking about why PC is a great place to start college.
It is a good opportunity to bolster your community service section in your faculty profile!

General notes:

If you are on a device event that requires specific setup prior to the event, such as taping down a track, please plan to do that on Friday afternoon (2-3pm). We will be around to help, but will need your direction of the parameters.
Our Science Olympiad event has been granted an exemption from the Minors on Campus requirements. This means no more background checks, online training, and/or code of conduct forms are required.
A minimum of 2 faculty and/or Staff will be rpesent at every event location. Student volunteers may also be present. A minimum of 2 people, including 1 faculty or Staff member must be rpesent at the event at all times.

Signing up to be an event supervisor:

A signup for which event you want to volunteer for will be through SignupGenius.
The link to the current year's signup is in the emails sent out from Dr Becca Flakenberg and is available in our Science Olympiad iCollege site.
If you need to be added to the Science Olympiad iCollege site, email Dr becca Falkenberg.

Creating your event:

Make sure you follow the current year's rules. Rules change each year, such as topics, focus, things the competitors can bring in the room, etc.
Event specific notes are located here.
Tie breaker questions must be identified on the test. On the answer key, tie breakers must be listed in order to be used as well. All written events must have tie breakers that can be progressively used to separate out all potential ties.
- All written tests must include tie-breakers that are identified as tie-breakers on the test so the competitors are aware which questions are the tie-breakers.
No one question can be worth greater than 10% of the event score.
For device events, please check the national site for electronic copies of the score sheet / device sheets.
If using images, make sure they are print quality for the level of detail you intend to ask about. If using models in the lab, make sure we have them on this campus, or you can bring them from your campus for the event.
Written tests should be a mixture of question types, meaning not all multiple choice. Short answer, matching, fill-in-the-blank are good options.
The level of the test should be slightly above the level you would give to our students (intro college level).
Tests should take 2 students 50 minutes to complete, if just a written test (no device part, etc.).
Most events should include some data analysis and some images.
Clarifications from the National Science Olympiad website: https://www.soinc.org/events/rules-clarifications
FAQs from the National Science Olympiad website: https://www.soinc.org/division-c-events
All written tests must be reviewed each year. Written tests for all events must be uploaded into the Science Olympiad iCollege site.
- After review, comments will be left on the assignment box in the iCollege site with any suggested / required changes and to inform you of how many teams to prepare (print) for.
- Do not print anything until you receive confirmation from us that it is good for printing.

Scoring notes:

All events must identify on the test which questions are tie-breaker questions. This is so the teams can see it, not just the event supervisors when grading.

All ties must be broken.
All teams must be ranked.

When you turn in your score sheet, you must wait for us to check it and potentially ask questions.
You also need to leave a phone number on the score sheet where we can reach you if there is an emergency that day (up to 5pm) in case anything comes up.

Required equipment / materials:

If your event requires specific equipment, materials, reagents, etc. then contact the appropriate lab supervisor (listed below) ASAP to make sure they have it or can order it. Also CC Mark hollier (mhollier@gsu.edu) on the email.

Biology related events: Jerri Peiffer, jpeiffer1@gsu.edu
Chemistry related events: Thaer Almashikee, talmashikee@gsu.edu
All other types of events: Fred Buls, fbuls@gsu.edu

Entering scores into the online scoring system:

Event coordinators will be entering the scores for their event directly into the online scoring system. The room where this will occur will be identified on the day of the event.
A completed score sheet (in your event packet) and the written tests, paper copies of stuff, etc. must be turned at the base of operations (CC-1120) after you have entered the scores.
- When you turn in event packet, you MUST check with Mark Hollier or Mathes Dayananda that your event scores were entered correctly in the online system.

Notes for the day:

Please plan to arrive an hour before your event starts. You will need to pick up an event packet from the office before your event and check in with us. Most of you will have some setup to prepare as well.
Please read over the rules for your event the day before to refresh your memory of the specifics for this years event. Every year the events change slightly and we need to be current on what is required this year if there are any disuputes.
The operations base will be the Science Department Office (CC-1120). You will need to check in to pick up an event package before your event on the day and return your score sheet for the event there. If you have problems, you will find one of us there.
Lunch will be provided for event coordinators. When you check in with us upon arrival ask about the time and location.