You want me to coach a Science Olympiad Event?

When your child joins a team, the parents generally accept that they may have to drive their child to team practices and competitions, maybe send in a snack or a few supplies, and be supportive of the team.  But coach a Science Olympiad Event?   Most parents remember taking a science class in high school, but that was so long ago.   Some parents have college degrees in a science related field, so it is fine for them to coach an event, but what about the rest of us?

Here are some tips and suggestions I make to parents I recruit to coach a Science Olympiad event.

1.  Relax. 
You don't have to be an expert in a science discipline, just keep the kids on task. Your main job is to help organize the students and encourage them to study, build, and prepare.  The students will do the learning, you just help them stay focused.  But don't be surprised by what you too will learn by working with the students.

2.  Read the Rules.
Read the rules for your event, and then read them again.  The kids should have the rules memorized, know what supplies they need and are allowed to use in the event, and what topics will be covered this year in that event. This is especially important for building events.

3.  Go to the National Science Olympiad web site.
Go to www.soinc.org and find the event pages.   There will sometimes be links to professional organizations that are sponsoring that event or provide useful study materials.  As the year progresses, come back to the national site and look for FAQ's or Rule Clarifications for your event.
  
4.  Google is your friend.
You and the students should search for study resources on the internet.  There are many resources for teachers on professional sites with videos and study materials.  You Tube will also often have videos of past Science Olympiad devices, and will give you some ideas of where to start when building a bridge, tower, catapult, or mousetrap vehicle.

5.  Give the students study assignments.
After you have gathered some study materials, give the students homework to do in preparation for the next practice session.  The students need to put in the time studying, and come to the next practice session with questions.  This will provide the direction for what to do next. 

6.  Have fun.
You and your students are on a journey, and learning many things in addition to the science content  involved in the event.  You will help your students learn about commitment, organization, communication, team work, perseverance, problem solving, and friendship.  Winning medals and ribbons certainly provides the motivation for the many hours of study and preparation, but the Science Olympiad Experience is also about the journey and the positive experiences along the way. Enjoy the ride!