Science Olympiad

Purpose of the Activity

The purpose of Science Olympiad is to improve the quality of science education, increase student interest in science, and create a technologically literate workforce while providing recognition for outstanding achievement by students. These goals will be achieved by participating in Science Olympiad tournaments.

Tryout Procedures

First Month of School: Students should use their D103 Google account to fill out the Science Olympiad Interest Form. Note that this form will be accepting responses August 21-28, 2024. (The deadline to submit the form is August 28, 2024--after that date the form will close for the year). Students who submit the Google interest form, as well as their parents, will be emailed a link to a Zoom introductory meeting on August 29, 2024.

Team Try-Outs: Tryouts will consist of an in-person written exam and a take-home test (which includes an optional build component). The take-home test can be picked up from classroom #151 starting August 29th. The try-out test will be administered in the cafeteria on September 4, 2024. Students can choose from one of two time slots to take the test. The first testing period will go from 3:30 pm until 4:45 pm. The PASS busses will be available for students to be transported home after the first test (buses leave at 5:00 pm). The second testing period will go from 5:30 pm until 6:45 pm. IMPORTANT: Students who plan to take the test at 5:30 pm cannot linger on campus until 5:30--they must leave after school and return to DW, entering at the back of the building at "door K" no earlier than 5:15 pm. Students must submit the take-home test (and build item if applicable) to Coach Solesky or Coach Joshi when they arrive for the test (be sure to legibly write your full name and your grade in school on everything).

Mandatory Team Meeting of Selected Students and Parents: Students will be notified if they made the team or not via email. Students who are selected for the team will be expected to attend a mandatory meeting on September 17, at Daniel Wright to discuss events, expectations, and how competitions will be held this season. Parents are expected to attend the meeting with their students. We expect there will be a lot of questions, and we encourage students and/or parents to ask them! Students who make the team will be required to pay a $100 activity fee by October 15, (via the RevTrack portal).

2024-2025 Science Olympiad Team Parents - if you were an event coach in previous seasons, we encourage you to do so again this year! Last year we had some new parent event coaches and they learned a great deal from our previous coaches. We would like to continue the tradition of excellence by having strong parental involvement. If you have not considered being a parent event coach, you will be given plenty of opportunities to ask questions about it at this meeting.
The Great Lakes Coaches Clinic will be held this year on November 8 & 9 in Naperville! We encourage all volunteer parent event coaches to attend this helpful and informative opportunity. The Clinic will again be in a hybrid format this year! Friday evening sessions will take place in a full virtual setting. On Saturday, it will be offered in-person as well as a remote option at the same time. This allows those who are unable to attend to log in and be part of the in-person presentation (see the screen, ask questions, and be virtually part of the room). Saturday’s in-person clinic will be held at Daniel Wright this year.
- Please register for the coach's clinic . The clinic fills up quickly so please register as soon as possible (registration closes at midnight on November 3). The district will reimburse you for the cost of the registration fee. NOTE THAT AS OF JULY, 2024, THE REGISTRATION LINK IS NOT OPEN - THIS WILL BE UPDATED ACCORDINGLY SOON.

Number of Participants

Grade Level of Participants

Meeting Schedule and Location

Competition Schedule

Student Attendance Guidelines

Regular attendance at weekly event practices is expected. Students who commit to events must notify their event coach(es) if they cannot attend practice in advance. If participation in multiple events creates a conflict that prevents students from regular attendance at all events, the student may be asked to consider modifying their event participation so all practices can be attended regularly. Once event teams have been formed, the expectation is that students will attend weekly practices and be prepared to compete in at least four event teams for the duration of the season.

Students will not be permitted to request paring down their events to less than four events or to opt out of competition. Being on this team requires a big commitment, as there are weekly practices for multiple events and monthly competitions. The expectation is that students will be in attendance at weekly practices as well as all tournaments. If students are involved in other activities, the expectation is that arrangements will be made so that they are available for Science Olympiad practices and tournaments.

On dates when the team leaves campus early for competitions, students must attend school for at least half of the school day. Parents/guardians will be required to contact the attendance office, and the student must be signed out prior to leaving for the competitions.

Specific Rules or Guidelines

The Daniel Wright Science Olympiad Team has a long-standing reputation for excellence. When students make the commitment to become a member of this team it is understood that they represent Daniel Wright Junior High School and District 103 not only during competition but during the duration of the season. Students are expected to conduct themselves in an appropriate manner. Students who exhibit questionable behavior, or who fall out of academic eligibility status may be subject to consequences at the discretion of school administration and/or the team coaches. This can include being removed from participating in tournament(s) or for egregious conduct, removal from the team.

Student behavior and conduct are taken very seriously by Coach Solesky and Coach Joshi. "Expect Respect" is our team motto. If we respect our coaches, parents, teachers, the school facility, and each other--respect will be returned to us. Our goal is to be as successful as possible as a team while having as much fun as possible representing our school district in Science!