Science Olympiad Team

Head Coach: Mrs. Nehring

Thank you for your interest in the Science Olympiad Team.  We will be having official tryouts in the Media Center on September 22nd after school until 5:15. Students must be in 3rd-5th grade to try out for the team. The tryout will include three different criteria: math, science and your teacher’s recommendation.  We will use your total points to determine our top 15 students for the Science Olympiad Competition Team.  In order to help you study for the Science Olympiad tryouts quiz we have included a study guide.  Everything that will be on the quiz is on the study guide.  You must participate in the tryouts in order to be considered for the team.  Please remember, IF you make the team, you will be required to attend all practices on Tuesday afternoons until 5:30, which will begin October 6th.  Your parents must be able to pick you up promptly at 5:30.  You also must be able to attend the Science Olympiad Competition which will be held in March/April.  If you would like to attend the Science Olympiad tryouts please complete the attached permission form and return it to Mrs. Nehring by September 15th. No late forms will be accepted.  We look forward to seeing you at the tryouts.  


Science Olympiad Tryout Study Sheet


Deep Blue Sea 

  • Learn the main characteristics of each ocean zone, including the amount of sunlight, water pressure, temperature, and species found.

  • Ocean Zones: 

    • Sunlight Zone (Epipelagic Zone)

      • Species: clownfish, sea turtles, dolphin

    • Twilight Zone (Mesopelagic Zone)

      • Species: lanternfish, hatchetfish, squid

    • Midnight Zone (Bathypelagic Zone)

      • Species:  anglerfish, gulper eel, viperfish

    • Abyssal Zone (Abyssopelagic Zone)

      • Species: sea cucumbers, brittle stars, tripod fish

    • Trenches (Hadal Zone)

      • Species: amphipods, snailfish

    • Intertidal Zone

      • Species:  crabs, barnacles, sea stars, mussels

Geology Rocks!

  • What is the difference between a rock and a mineral?

  • Know the components and processes of the Rock Cycle. Terms to study

    • Igneous

    • Sedimentary

    • Metamorphic

    • Melting and cooling

    • Weathering and erosion

    • Heat and pressure

  • What are the uses and economic importance of these rocks/minerals?

    • Basalt

    • Obsidian

    • Pumice

    • Shale

    • Mica

    • Graphite

    • Pyrite

Beam Me Up 

  • Know these key concepts: reflection, refraction, absorption, transmission, and scattering

  • Predict the behavior of light in various situations. Such as:

    • When light moves from air into water

    • When it hits a black (or dark) t-shirt

    • When it hits a mirror

    • Why does the sky appear blue?

  • Label these parts of the eye and explain what each part does: ciliary muscle, conjunctiva, cornea, iris, lens, optic nerve, photoreceptors (rods & cones), pupil, retina, sclera, vitreous humor.

Buzzworthy

  • How do you distinguish insects from other animals? 

  • For these insects: Bee, mosquito, earwig

    • Label important body parts and features

    • Investigate where the insects lives

    • Examine its life cycle

    • What are the important roles it plays in nature, including pollination, decomposition, and serving as food for other animals?

Pump it Up

  • Know that the heart and blood vessels help move blood through the body, and that the lungs help us breathe in oxygen and breathe out carbon dioxide. 

  • Understand that these two systems work together to help the body get the air and nutrients it needs to stay healthy and active.

  • Identify the major organs and body parts of the respiratory and circulatory systems and understand their functions.

  • Circulatory System

  • Heart: Atria, ventricles, aorta, valves (aortic, mitral, pulmonary, tricuspid), pathway of blood through the heart

  • Blood: Red blood cells, white blood cells, plasma, platelets

  • Blood vessels: Arteries, veins, capillaries

  • Respiratory System

  • Nose/nasal cavity, trachea, lungs, diaphragm, bronchi, alveoli, bronchioles, lobes, pharynx, larynx, mouth

Roots & Reptiles 

  • Plants and Trees

    • Plant Parts: Roots, stems, leaves, seeds, flower parts, and what each part does to help the plant live and grow.

    • Horticulture (Gardening): Know what plants need to grow and produce food, including sunlight, water, soil, nutrients, and fertilizer. Understand how plants may react when they do not get enough light, receive too much or too little water, fertilizer is added, or they compete with other plants for space, water, or nutrients.

  • Reptiles and Amphibians

    • Basic Characteristics and Habitats: What they look like, features that make them reptiles or amphibians, where they live.

    • Food and Life Cycles: What they eat and how they grow and change during their lives.

    • Why They Are Important: Their role in the ecosystem and how they affect people and human activities.

Storm Chasers

  • Identify the basic characteristics and safety considerations of these types of storms: 

    • Thunderstorms

    • Tornadoes

    • Hurricanes

    • Blizzards

    • Floods

  • Identify the difference between a weather watch and a weather warning.

Zap Lab

  • What is electrical energy?

  • Identify common sources of electrical energy, including batteries and electrical outlets.

  • Define and give examples of conductors and insulators.

  • Recognize the parts of a simple circuit, including a power source, wires, switch, and load.

  • Describe how electrical current flows through a complete circuit.