How to group events for selection

[Raj Rai]

Hello,

I recently came to know Sierra vista in California science Olympiad team creates group of events to choose.  The team members instead of selecting individual events, selects the group of events. The idea looks very promising to me while running 3 or more teams. One question I had how do select events to create a group. If someone can  share how these Groups of events are created recently or in past with any information about your thought process while creating this group I will greatly appreciate that.

Thanks,

Raj

Navy ES Head Coach

[Cherese Fiorina]

One option is to use the event schedule published by nationals. Then you avoid conflicts. 

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Sent: Friday, March 7, 2025 8:07:00 PM
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Subject: [Science Olympiad Coaches] How to group events for selection

 

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[Castillo, Emily]

Not for us. We haven’t had a regional yet that follows the national schedule. 

Emily Castillo, MS Biological Sciences   Biology Instructor, Science Olympiad Coach   LAMP High School | 334-284-7500   3440 McGehee Road, Montgomery, AL 36111   www.mps.k12.al.us   Engage, Educate, Inspire

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[Cherese Fiorina]

That’s hard!  Regionals and states here follows the conflicts as do most invitationals we attend. 

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From: Castillo, Emily <emily.c...@mps.k12.al.us>
Sent: Friday, March 7, 2025 11:19:27 PM
To: Cherese Fiorina <cherese...@gmail.com>
Cc: Raj Rai <raja...@gmail.com>; scienceolym...@googlegroups.com <scienceolym...@googlegroups.com>
Subject: Re: [Science Olympiad Coaches] How to group events for selection

 

[OceanAir SciOly]

I have been told....biological/medical sciences all together, earth and physical sciences together.  Chemistry and lab events together.  I am not sure how they divvy up the builds.

I'm sure there are "try-outs".  I can find out more info...probably.  lol

Karen

Ocean Air Science Olympiad

Karen Chen - Head Coach for 2024-2025

Lynn Ji - Assistant Head Coach for 2024-2025

Neha Kumbhat - Assistant Head Coach for 2024-2025

website: https://oceanairpta.membershiptoolkit.com/so

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[Sara Cupp]

Hello All,

We are planning to implement "block scheduling" next year. Our officers have been discussing it and are a bit apprehensive to do it. However, since we had 3 teams last year and expect as many this year, there are so many benefits. Can anyone who has switched to block scheduling share how the transition went for your teams?

Thank you! Sara Cupp

[Preethi Mohan]

Hi All,

One question along the same lines: Is this the event groupings for this year? meaning you can't participate in 2 events from the same group?

Thanks,

Preethi 

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Preethi

[Alyce Moy]

That is correct, though keep in mind to check individual tournaments for their event scheduling groupings. 

These groups mean that for Nationals (which most States and thus Regionals would follow), the events in each group are scheduled to happen at the same time. 

So this helps with assignments so students don't get assigned two events happening at the same time and thus would then need contingency plans for the team. 

There are some Regionals that don't abide by the nationals time blocks though, so be sure to ask. 

--Alyce

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/ScienceOlympiadCoaches/CAA6fC0vNpx%2Bi4TbY%3DfJWK%3DUseRB%2Bi680T%2B%3DcUc72%2BdQagDHPtg%40mail.gmail.com.

[Preethi Mohan]

Thanks Alyce!

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Preethi

[Larry Hsieh]

Except for Group 7 which are builds since they are self-scheduled.

Regarding forcing events into sets, groups, or strands. I do think after two teams there's very clear benefits vs a free for all.

Pros:

- Makes teams a lot easier to form and manage from coach's perspective

- Can easily promote / demote event strand groups from one team to the other, keeping folks motivated

- Depending on the grouping, the events in the strands/group are commonly themed which can help with studying

- If aiming for full teams, it's a good forcing function for events that just aren't popular (read: entomology --- those poor bugs!)

- See first point

Cons:

- The students will be boxed in and may be "forced" to do an event they really don't want or really want to do events that are across different groupings and can't

- Students can't easily switch between events if they want to "explore" since they need to select entire sets of events to do

- Sometimes when creating these groups/strands to keep things balance you'll get some really weird combos

TLDR;

- If aiming to field complete and competitive teams, strands/sets/groups are the way to go. 

- If just looking for students to explore and have fun based on their interest and passions and to give the most headache to coaches/captains on forming teams, the free for all random event selection works too.

Of course I went with the later - lol!

Good luck all this season!!!

[OceanAir SciOly]

We going with the latter too.

Doesn’t make sense for elementary. Makes sense for middle school when it’s time to grow up! 🤣🤣

Ocean Air Science Olympiad

Karen Chen - Head Coach for 2024-2025

Lynn Ji - Assistant Head Coach for 2024-2025

Neha Kumbhat - Assistant Head Coach for 2024-2025

website: https://oceanairpta.membershiptoolkit.com/so

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/ScienceOlympiadCoaches/175f0eef-c80e-4580-9eeb-02c89bfe7322n%40googlegroups.com.