Events

Whether you’ve already aced the SAT verbal section, or you could use some extra practice, this contest keeps you focused on the details. The three-part contest consists of multiple-choice questions covering proofreading and vocabulary, and words that are written from dictation. The vocabulary-building and spelling components of the contest are indicative of vocabulary words contained on standardized tests such as SAT, PSAT and ACT.

Coach: Lisa Wernli

lisa.wernli@pfisd.net

Meeting Times: contact coach

Room Number: E213

Ten minutes is all it takes to find out if you have good number sense. You’ll work with your coach and team to develop and practice shortcuts to solve the mental math test and still beat the clock. This 80-question mental math contest covers all high school mathematics curricula. All answers must be derived without using scratch paper or a calculator.

Coach: Jennifer Persons jennifer.persons@pfisd.net

Meeting Times: Tuesdays and Fridays before school

Room Number: B120

Bill Gates used to program computers in his spare time, and apparently, he did something right. Get your start in computer science by learning the details of Java programming and try your hand at writing some programs of your own.

Coach: Jennifer Persons jennifer.persons@pfisd.net

Meeting Times: Tuesdays and Fridays before school

Room Number: B120

If your interest lies in movements, wars, history and politics, this contest will give you more than enough material to explore. The contest requires you to apply your understanding of history and culture through 45 multiple-choice questions and an essay. Each year the contest focuses on a selected topic area, and a reading list is provided.

Coach: Marissa Stewart marissa.stewart@pfisd.net

Meeting Times: Thursdays after school

Room Number: E115

Your knowledge of biology, chemistry and physics will help you select the correct answers on this 60-question multiple-choice test. Individual awards are given in each subject area, so even students who have not yet taken all the science courses can excel! It is designed to help students gain an understanding of the basic principles as well as knowledge of the history and philosophy of science, and to foster a sense of enthusiasm about science and how it affects our daily lives.

Coach: Angela Wilson

angela.wilson@pfisd.net

Meeting Times: contact Coach

Room Number: C105

Math is power in today’s job market, so multiply your potential by trying out this problem solving contest. The contest includes calculations involving addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, roots, powers, exponentiation, logarithms, trigonometric functions and inverse trigonometric functions. In addition to straightforward calculation problems, the contest includes geometric and stated problems similar to those found in algebra, geometry and trigonometry textbooks.

Coach: Elijah Ramos

elijah.ramos@pfisd.net

Meeting Times: Contact Coach

Room Number: B118

A test that involves typing spreadsheets, word processing documents, and databases, then merging documents and making changes to them. This test requires general computer knowledge and typing skills. Test time – 30 minutes

Coach: Susan Felton

susan.felton@pfisd.net

Meeting Times: Contact Coach

Room Number: B118

Edit or regret it! This contest is a three-part opportunity to showcase your ability to correct material for accuracy and readability. Copy Editing teaches students the vital skills of proofreading and editing to create accurate, clear and succinct writing. Emphasis is placed on the ability to find and correct grammatical, spelling, punctuation, AP style and factual errors.

Coach: Brooke Hampton brooke.hampton@pfisd.net

Meeting Times: contact coach

Room Number: F217

You’ll go around the world in 40 multiple-choice questions as you test your knowledge on current state, national and global events. Watching news shows will pay off when you answer the essay question at the end and take a closer look at one current event. The contest consists of 40 multiple-choice questions and an essay that challenges students to understand not just what is happening in the world today, but why and how it’s happening and what it means to us as citizens of the United States.

Coach: Ronald Hester

ronald.hester@pfisd.net

Meeting Times: contact Coach

Room Number: F101

In editorial writing, you’ll take a stand on a controversial school issue and back up your stance with facts and examples. This contest teaches students to read critically, to digest and prioritize information quickly and to write clearly, accurately and succinctly. Emphasis is placed on mechanical and stylistic precision, lead writing, use of direct and indirect quotes, news judgment, and the ability to think deeply, to compare and contrast and to argue or defend a point of view persuasively.

Coach: Brooke Hampton brooke.hampton@pfisd.net

Meeting Times: contact coach

Room Number: F217

If you’ve got a knack for developing a story, this contest is for you. You’ll be provided with the facts and quotes you need, and then it’s up to you to piece together a journalistic feature story your readers will remember. The Feature Writing Contest teaches students to read critically, to digest and prioritize information quickly and to write clearly, accurately and succinctly.

Coach: Brooke Hampton brooke.hampton@pfisd.net

Meeting Times: contact coach

Room Number: F217

Put the finishing touches on the news as you decide what’s most important about six news stories and top them off with headlines. The challenge is to be creative in your word choice and adhere to the word and line counts as you write tomorrow’s headlines. The contest teaches students to read critically, to digest and prioritize information quickly and to write clearly, accurately and succinctly. Emphasis is placed on the ability to discern key facts and to write with flair and style in order to tell and sell a story.

Coach: Brooke Hampton brooke.hampton@pfisd.net

Meeting Times: contact coach

Room Number: F217

You’ll need a critical eye as you scan through literary history. You’ll analyze literature from a provided reading list as well as literary passages not on the list. A short essay serves as the tiebreaker that could put you over the top. The contest requires knowledge of literary history and of critical terms, and ability in literary criticism. Students are required to select the best answers involving judgment in literary criticism and to analyze literary passages from both the reading list and other sources.

Coach: Justin Elam

justin.elam@pfisd.net

Meeting Times: contact coach

Room Number: E207

In this contest, you decide what’s fit to print as you make your way through a set of facts and quotes and pick out what’s important. You’ll work on deadline for the newspaper as you create a cohesive story that inquiring minds have a right to know. The News Writing Contest teaches students to read critically, to digest and prioritize information quickly, and to write clearly, accurately and succinctly. Emphasis is placed on mechanical and stylistic precision, lead writing, use of direct and indirect quotes, and news judgment.

Coach: Brooke Hampton brooke.hampton@pfisd.net

Meeting Times: contact coach

Room Number: F217

Algebra, geometry, pre-calculus, oh my! Come armed for this test with your knowledge and understanding of a variety of mathematical subjects such as geometry and trigonometry as you compete against your peers. This 40-minute, 60-question contest is designed to test knowledge and understanding in the areas of Algebra I and II, geometry, trigonometry, math analysis, analytic geometry, pre-calculus and elementary calculus.

Coach: Jennifer Persons jennifer.persons@pfisd.net

Meeting Times: Tuesdays and Fridays before school

Room Number: B120

If you like to make your own path, this contest is for you. A short prompt will provide the inspiration for your creative ideas as you explore a topic or prove a point. Students write expository compositions that attempt to explain, prove or explore a topic in a balanced way, allowing the argument and the evidence given to be the deciding factor in the paper. Students are given a choice between two prompts, each an excerpt from literature, publications or speeches. The essay is judged on interest, organization and style.

Coach: Justin Elam

justin.elam@pfisd.net

Meeting Times: contact coach

Room Number: E207