FAQ

Who can participate in Science Olympiad?

• 2nd - 5th Grade students can join the Allen Elementary Science Olympiad Team 

How is the Allen Science Olympiad team structured?

• The Science Olympiad competition consists of numerous events, and at Allen Elementary, we aim to participate in as many events as we have coaches available for. For each event, there will be a team consisting of 2 to 5 students per grade level. The specific number of students per grade varies by event.

What types of events are there in Science Olympiad?

• Events cover a wide range of scientific concepts and skills, from biology and chemistry to physics, engineering, and environmental science. Students can choose events that align with their interests and strengths. Events typically require teamwork, critical thinking, problem-solving, and hands-on application of scientific principles.

How can my child sign up for a Science Olympiad team?

• Recruitment for the Allen Science Olympiad Team will begin in January. Keep an eye out for the signup form in the weekly Allen Email sent by Ms. Wolf. When signing up, students will have the opportunity to rank the events they are interested in participating in. Since team sizes are limited, event assignments will be based on a first-come, first-served basis. We make every effort to accommodate students by placing them in their first or second choice event.

• Initially, each student will be assigned to one event to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to participate. However, if there is available space on a team, students may have the chance to join a second event

What is the time commitment for being on the Science Olympiad Team? 

• Weekly event practices are held for one hour each week. They will start in late January or early February and continue for about 10 weeks. Following this preparation period, we will participate in a competition that takes place in late spring. 

When and where are the weekly practices held? 

• The timing and location of practices are determined by the availability of our event coaches. Each event coach selects a meeting time that suits their schedule. Typically, practices take place either after school or in the evenings at Allen Elementary, and occasionally on weekends at one of the Ann Arbor Public Library branches.

When and where is the Science Olympiad competition held?

• In 2024 the Competition will be at Pioneer High School on Saturday, April 20th.  

What happens at a typical Science Olympiad competition?

• The competition is an all-day event with over 30 elementary schools participating. However, each grade level should plan to be present for approximately 2 to 3 hours. Each event competition lasts about 30 minutes, followed by a 1-hour grade-level award ceremony. Please note that there will be some waiting time between the event and the award ceremony. To keep students engaged and entertained during this waiting period, there will be a variety of fun hands-on science activities available for them to explore and enjoy

What experience or knowledge in science does my child need to participate?

• No prior experience is required to join the Science Olympiad Team. Students will receive preparation and guidance for the competition during their weekly event practices.

How can parents or volunteers get involved with Science Olympiad?

• For more information Please see our Get Involved and Volunteer as an Event Coach pages

Is there a fee to participate in Science Olympiad?

• Participation in Science Olympiad is completely free for students. All fees for participating in Science Olympiad are covered by Allen Parent Council

How can I stay updated on Science Olympiad news and events?

• Look for information on the Science Olympiad season in the Weekly Emails from Ms. Wolf