Kansas Science Olympiad Getting Started

Preparations for Science Olympiad begin in the fall. Generally a teacher will hold an informational meeting to gauge interest in Science Olympiad. In Kansas, a workshop for both new and returning coaches is held on the third Saturday in October at Wichita State University. The purpose of this workshop is to discuss any logistical changes in how Science Olympiad operates in Kansas and to talk about the changes in particular events and give an overview of the new events. (Each year about 25% of the events are rotated out and new events are brought in. Another 25% of the events will have significant changes. For example in Chem lab, the area of chemistry that is focused on may change.)

Also for a school to participate, the school must register with the Kansas Science Olympiad and pay a membership fee. (This fee includes both state and national membership fees. The national fee is passed on to the national Science Olympiad office.) You can complete the Kansas Science Olympiad Registration by going to the KSO Login. Once you are registered and your membership fee has been received, you will have the right to compete in invitational, regional, state and national tournaments. The priority registration deadline (to choose your regional) is usually in early November with the final deadline in early December. Check out the Calendar for the exact dates for the current year.

Below are more tips on starting your school's Science Olympiad program.

Working with your School Administration

• Advise the appropriate persons that you will need transportation to a regional and possibly the State tournament so they can budget and plan.
• Advise them you will need several hundred dollars for supplies.
• Advise them that many schools provide a stipend or coaches supplement for coaching Science Olympiad.
• Make sure that the school mail sorters know to get Science Olympiad information to you as soon as possible.

Registering Your Team

• Complete the state registration by the indicated deadline (usually early November, but check the Calendar for the current year's exact date.) If you do not receive an e-mail confirmation of your registration, then there is a problem with it.
• Once you've registered, make sure you print your membership invoice and submit it for payment. Once the Kansas Science Olympiad Office has received your payment, you will receive an email confirming receipt.
• You must be registered before you can compete in any type of Science Olympiad Invitational or Regional Tournament.

Organizing Help from Teachers, Parents, and Others

• With the exception of some high schools where students virtually run the team, you will benefit a great deal with help from others, especially your fellow teachers.
• Not all event coaches require a science background (e.g.: Road Scholar-social science, Write It/Do It-anyone , etc).
• Many teams have one or more assistant coaches.
• Recruit High School students to train Middle School students
• Parents can free-up coaches by helping with fund raising (try local utility companies and service organizations such as Rotary, Optimists, etc. as well as PTA).
• Local colleges and universities will usually help students in specific disciplines (e.g.: a geology department helps in rocks, fossils and minerals).
• Consider local retirees, especially scientists, engineers, and teachers.
• Look to local nurses and physicians for health related events.
• Have a Science Olympiad display and/or demonstration at a PTA meeting to generate interest and support.
• Recruit a volunteer hobby videographer to develop a video of your team's road to the Science Olympiad.
• Never lose sight that Science Olympiad is a team effort for coaches as well as students.