Science Olympics Simcoe/Muskoka
Science Olympics Simcoe/Muskoka
What is it?
Fun! Science! Mystery diagnosis! Teamwork! Feats of Engineering!
Science Olympics is a one day event, for grades 9 ,10, 11 and 12 students, made up of a series of problem solving events that require teams to apply their knowledge of science and engineering in creative and fun ways. Compete in a team of four, and win a prize! There's an Olympian in everyone!
- Inspire and foster inquiry in science, engineering and technology, and mathematics.
- Hone problem solving skills, and creative and critical thinking processes
- Promote team work and collaboration
- Provide interactive and hands-on learning experience
Science Olympics Simcoe/Muskoka is a joint venture among Youth Science Ontario, the Faculty of Science and Environmental Studies, the Faculty of Education, and the Faculty of Engineering at Lakehead University.
When and Where?
Science Olympics Simcoe/Muskoka will take place on Friday, May 10, 2019 at Lakehead University’s Heritage Place (Downtown) campus at 1 Colborne St. West in Orillia. Registration begins at 8:30 am in the lobby of Heritage Place. At 9:00 am, the teams will meet in the Auditorium. The first event takes place at 9:15 am. Lunch will be provided from 12:15 pm to 12:55 pm. The presentation of awards will take place from 1:45 pm to 2:30 pm.
May 2018 – Descriptions for the Events
JUNIOR (Grades 9 & 10)
Event #1 - Long Distance Runner
Teams construct a balloon-powered vehicle using the materials supplied. The goal is to make the vehicle that travels the greatest distance on the floor. Teams will make two judged attempts. The team with the best attempt gains the highest score.
Event #2 – XTreme Chemistry
This chemistry crossword puzzle race will test what you know about the periodic table. Complete as much of it as possible in the time available. The team with the most correct responses gains the highest score.
Event #3 – Needling (Fruit and Vegetables)
We shall provide you with a selection of fruit and vegetables (fresh or dried) in sealed boxes. Each box will have a series of pre-drilled holes through which you will put a knitting needle. Probe using the knitting needle to explore and describe the structure of the fruit or vegetable with the greatest possible detail, and identify of the contents of the box.
Common Event #4 Engineering Challenge
This culminating challenge sees teams building a device to perform a specific task using only the materials provided in exactly 50 minutes.
SENIOR (GRADES (11 & 12)
Event #1 – Dante’s Peek
Your research team has been conducting an aerial survey of an active volcano and has crashed into the side of the mountain. You must reconstruct your aircraft from the parts in the crash (which, although completely dismantled, have miraculously not broken). The mountain is expected to erupt in 40 minutes.
Event #2 – Cell Multiplication
We shall provide you with a series of photographs or slides of cells. You will make calculations of growth based on mitotic or meiotic division. This will be done without the aid of any calculating devices.
Event #3 – Chemistry Compound Boggle
Teams receive randomly created 4 x 4 arrays of element symbols. They have 10 minutes to locate and write the formulae of as many compounds as they can, supplying brackets and subscripts where appropriate, using any sequence of horizontally, vertically, or diagonally adjacent elements. A chemical name must be given to each compound using the I.U.P.A.C. system for inorganic nomenclature. We use three different arrays, with the highest scoring group gaining the most points for the event. To see examples look at: http://www.physics.uwo.ca/science_olympics/events/grades_11_to_12/compound_boggle.html
Common Event #4 Engineering Challenge
This culminating challenge sees teams building a device to perform a specific task using only the materials provided in exactly 50 minutes.
Registration
Get your school involved! Only $10 per student (includes lunch, snacks, and t-shirt).
Each school is permitted to submit entries for one junior (grades 9 & 10) and for one senior (grades 11 & 12) team. Each team will consist of 4 students.
For the Media Release Form please Click Here (PDF)
If you are interested in becoming a sponsor of Science Olympics Simcoe/Muskoka please contact us!
Contact Us
For more information please contact David Law by email: dlaw@lakeheadu.ca or by telephone: 705-330-4008 ext 2646.
A big thanks to all our committee members:
Dr. Todd Randall (Dean of Science and Environmental Studies)