Think Like an Epidemiologist Challenge

This event will be a Trial event at all
2010 Regional tournaments and at the 2010 State Tournament

The 2010 Think Like an Epidemiologist Challenge is a trial event for which points will be awarded at both the regional and state competitions.  The Think Like an Epidemiologist Challenge will ask teams of four students each to test a hypothesis epidemiologically.  This Science Olympiad (SO) event has been designed to be realistic and require you to "do" epidemiology so that you experience some of the challenges that epidemiologists face when testing hypotheses in the real world.  It will require you to develop and use a variety of epidemiologic skills efficiently and effectively.  It will require you to use judgment and innovation.  And by posting the event now, more than 16 weeks prior to the actual competition, it provides you with the time for learning, rehearsal, practice, consultation, feedback, and refinement.

If you wish to compete in the Think Like an Epidemiologist Challenge, you will:

• Identify four regular or alternate SO team members to work on this event together.
• Select a hypothesis you wish to test.
• Have each member of your team complete three specified modules from the online “Protecting Human Research Participants” training.
• Participate in your regional SO competition by electronically submitting a proposal for testing the hypothesis to Science Olympiad judges by January 4, 2010.
• After receiving your regional point scores and comments at your SO Regional Event, if your school qualifies to attend the State SO event, then begin to test your hypothesis among high school students from your school district, during the period of January 18 - March 15, 2010.
• Present the results of your study to Science Olympiad judges, in a morning poster session at the New Jersey State Science Olympiad Finals on March 16, 2010.
• Participate in an afternoon debriefing meeting with Science Olympiad judges at the New Jersey State Science Olympiad Finals on March 16, 2010.
• Based on the judges’ evaluation of your work, be awarded points that will count towards your final New Jersey Science Olympiad standings.

If you have any questions about the event, please have your SO coach contact Mark Kaelin at 973-655-7123 or kaelinm@mail.montclair.edu.