New Jersey Science Olympiad

Discovery Young Scientist Challenge (YSC)

It's that time of year to remind all Division B, state-bound or state-winning teams that they are eligible for quarterfinalist status in the Discovery Young Scientist Challenge (YSC)! In 2009, Science Olympiad sent four team members from OR, NM, DE and NY to the Top Ten Finals in New York City!

Infomation for students, parents and coaches is posted on the Science Olympiad web site: http://www.soinc.org/discovery_education

There is a separate tournament schedule for each regional. The schedules in the back of the Division B and Division C Rules Manuals are only for the National tournament.

Numbers in the blocks on the schedule for each tournament correspond to the team number assigned when you registered a Science Olympiad team.

Teams that advance to the State Finals tournament will be assigned a new team number after responding to an invitation to compete at States.

Clarification about alternates and on the number of students required for each event.

Teams are not required to have 2 members compete in each event. Event rules specify up to 2, or up to 3, or up to 4. Smaller teams may send only a single member to compete in any event if they do not have a full complement of 18 team members.

Alternates (those without hand stamps) may compete only in trial events. Regular team members (hands must be stamped) may compete in regular events and in trial events.

Division B alternates may be 9th grade students in addition to the already allowed number on the regular team.
Division C alternates may be seniors in addition to the 7 seniors already allowed on the regular team.

Up to 4 alternates may compete in the EpiChallenge event. For smaller teams, a single alternate or regular team member may compete in the Epi Challenge event. Teams may add 4 alternates to compete in the EpiChallenge event in addition to the alternates already on a team.

Medals and ribbons will be awarded to students competing in the EpiChallenge event. Points will be awarded at each regional and included in the total team scores as indicated on the first page (bullet number 5) of the EpiChallenge event rules.

The Society for Neuroscience has launched a new Web site: NERVE (Neuroscience Education Resources Virtual Encycloportal) at http://www.sfn.org/nerve. NERVE is a dynamic new online gateway to information and tools for learning and teaching about the brain and nervous system created specifically for K-12 students and educators.

Many resources from NERVE are also available in a convenient CD-ROM version which is available as a download or can be shipped in quantities---all for FREE! Use and distribute the CD at regional coaches clinics. Contact Nadine Costello to request copies of the CD. Mention your affiliation with the Science Olympiad and SfN will send you copies of the CD absolutely free of charge. For more neuroscience education resources from SfN, go to http://www.sfn.org/so.

Coaches Announcements