Parents

Getting involved with your child's academic career can be one of the most rewarding aspects of parenting.  By assisting with a Science Olympiad team or program, you can share your love of science with your child and make a positive impact on your community.

Elementary Science Olympiad (ESO)

These are the prime years for parent volunteers.  It seems like every week you're in the classroom, reading at story time, helping with math games or chaperoning a field trip.  Science Olympiad offers a different parent volunteer opportunity -- one that allows you to open your child's eyes to the world of science.  The K-6 years are perfect for setting those first impressions of a subject -- "I love to read!" or "Science is cool!"  Be a part of making sure that science is as important to your child as reading, writing and arithmetic.  If your local school has an existing ESO event, call the principal or PTA president to offer your assistance and mention your science specialty, if you have one.  The great thing about elementary-based science is that everyone will be able to connect with the information -- we all have experience with basic science concepts!  Don't feel that you have to be an expert.  If you love to garden, help with As The Worm Turns.  If you love cars, volunteer to run a Mousetrap Car building session.  If you love to cook, help with Pasta Bridge!  It's that easy.  If you find that your school does not have an ESO program, again contact your child's teacher, principal or PTA president to see if you can get one going.  See the Elementary section of the web site for more information about ESO.

Secondary Science Olympiad (Grades 6-12)

Especially in the middle school and high school years, it's rare to have the chance to work with your child outside the boundaries of typical homework challenges.  But with Science Olympiad, you can truly be a partner in your child's success, assisting with scheduling study time, finding new and enriching resources, perfecting designs in your basement workshop, arranging meetings with local professors or science experts or simply providing the setting for device building parties.  When Science Olympiad enters your life, you'll see that it becomes a social hub where your child will seek friends with similar interests who feel it's cool to pursue science outside of school.  The rewards are overwhelming -- the sense of accomplishment in your child's eyes when he masters a new subject, the elation you feel watching him win his first medal at the regional competition, the pride of knowing that you supported his efforts all the way.

Contact your child's school to see if a Science Olympiad team exists -- if not, call the principal or email the science teacher to see if you can get a team started!  For more information, see Volunteers, Event Info and Starting a Team.