Teachers/Coaches
Coaches and students from Teeland Middle School in Alaska attend the 2005 Science Olympiad National Tournament at The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
What kind of teacher are you? Take this test and see if Science Olympiad is a good fit:
1. I enjoy teaching science because ___________.
a. I am naturally curious and can't stop thinking about science even after I leave work.
b. I see science everywhere.
c. I get a charge from students who seem to love science as much as I do.
d. There is no place I'd rather be than on a bus with 30 student team members who smell like Doritos and socks.
e. All of the above.
If you didn't answer e, it's probably because of the socks in answer d, but we understand. The point is, if you feel the way we hope you do about teaching science -- passionate, committed, enthused -- then you should get involved with Science Olympiad. If you haven't checked us out at NSTA or a state science workshop, look under Start A Team to find out more. Elementary school teachers can look under Elementary for a wealth of resources about both Fun Day and Fun Night events as well as competitive tournaments.
If you're an experienced Science Olympiad coach, first let us say -- THANK YOU! We hope that each year, the energy from your students re-charges your batteries (that could be a Science Olympiad event in itself). Consider looking in our Workshops section for professional development or search the Events area for great resources and tips for your team. Let us know if you've got great ideas, suggestions or tips. You know where to find us -- at the back of the bus, between the box of goggles and the empty Pringles container.
Beth from Alabama: "Science Olympiad helped determine what occupation I would choose. I always loved science and knew I'd do something in that field. I now teach 7th grade science and coach the Science Olympiad team -- I try to give students some of the same love I have for science!"
In May 2009, Lori Koss of Magnificat High School in Rocky River, Ohio, won the Heller Award, the highest honor for teachers from the Cleveland section of the American Chemical Society. Koss has taught at Magnificat for eight years. She uses trading cards as learning tools, an idea catching on in other Magnificat classes. She has coached the school's Science Olympiad team into the statewide tournament four straight years - awesome job, Lori!
Check out this story about a great Science Olympiad coach from Georgia, Mary Wilde, who led her Booth Middle School team to nine National Tournament and countless state and regional victories in 20 years of coaching!
If you've got a great story about coaching, send it to Jenny Kopach!