Will/Did You Make It to Nationals?

[JKrafsur]

Well I am actually worried about our chances. We never have been to nationals and have only been around 2 years, but last year we got 4th, and probably would have gone if we didnt get disqualified for writing in pen. We improved a lot and everybody has experience now, but out here in CO its very competitive. I would say there a 4 or 5 teams that really are the competitive ones. But come April I guess we will see

[CopperPenny]

I wish!

Our first practice is tomorrow, and I am almost dreading it :/

And that is quite unusual, considering I adore SO. But the people in my school not take it seriously, not in the slightest. A full team has twenty three people, eight of which are alternates. A total of thirteen people tried out for the team. What does that say about our school's team?

Not the best things, I'm afraid to say.

[foreverphysics]

I wish!

Our first practice is tomorrow, and I am almost dreading it :/

And that is quite unusual, considering I adore SO. But the people in my school not take it seriously, not in the slightest. A full team has twenty three people, eight of which are alternates. A total of thirteen people tried out for the team. What does that say about our school's team?

Not the best things, I'm afraid to say.

It's okay, Copper. Last year, our team had 4 ninth graders and a total of thirteen people with NO alternates. We still made it to Nationals, didn't we?
Really, I find that sad, considering that we had a total of over 150 people try out for SO last year...and yet...the team that went to Nats had 13 people. We had no alternates at all, just people doing some trial events.
Yes, we had like nine teams at Regionals, but the one that went to Nationals never changed...and it was the one that had 13 people. You may still have a shot, Copper. The people on our team don't really start preparing until the week before States or the month before Nats, and then they're like, "OH MY GOD, Nats is in a MONTH!!! HELP!!!"

[tornado guy]

I wish!

Our first practice is tomorrow, and I am almost dreading it :/

And that is quite unusual, considering I adore SO. But the people in my school not take it seriously, not in the slightest. A full team has twenty three people, eight of which are alternates. A total of thirteen people tried out for the team. What does that say about our school's team?

Not the best things, I'm afraid to say.

It's okay, Copper. Last year, our team had 4 ninth graders and a total of thirteen people with NO alternates. We still made it to Nationals, didn't we?
Really, I find that sad, considering that we had a total of over 150 people try out for SO last year...and yet...the team that went to Nats had 13 people. We had no alternates at all, just people doing some trial events.
Yes, we had like nine teams at Regionals, but the one that went to Nationals never changed...and it was the one that had 13 people. You may still have a shot, Copper. The people on our team don't really start preparing until the week before States or the month before Nats, and then they're like, "OH MY GOD, Nats is in a MONTH!!! HELP!!!"

It also depends on how competitive your state is. If we had only 13 including alternates we'd never win state.

[abator]

I wish. Considering my school is in Ohio we will most likely never make it to nationals. Granted St.Raphael is in its fifth year(I think) and this is my third. We have made it to state every year and finished 25th last year beating our rivals (Westlake) by three points. We have three teams and being in eighth grade its do or die. We should finish in top 15 this year at State.

[nuclear reactor]

probably
for the past few years we have made it in top five at States.
With the latest haul of sixth graders, we should get second.

[buffleheadgirl]

It's kind of early for this topic but if it's on here then....

Obviously Solon, J.C. Booth and Paul J Gelinas are all going to nationals... I hope we (ExCEL) goes this year, but we have tough competition up north and locally! Should be another great year of Science Olympiad

I'm not making any predictions...they might get upset by another team!

On another note, GO KILMER!!!

I agree...no predictions yet!

[ksun48]

what is the nationals selection process?
is it a fixed number from each state
or is it like
n teams nationwide

[Kokonilly]

what is the nationals selection process?
is it a fixed number from each state
or is it like
n teams nationwide

It depends on the size of the Science Olympiad program in the state. I don't know if it's number of schools or number of teams registered (someone clarify, please), but it depends on the number for either. So states with larger programs send two teams and states with smaller programs only send one. Sometimes states (or DC ) drop out, allowing more states to send two teams. Sixty teams compete at nationals every year.

[chalker]

what is the nationals selection process?
is it a fixed number from each state
or is it like
n teams nationwide

It depends on the size of the Science Olympiad program in the state. I don't know if it's number of schools or number of teams registered (someone clarify, please), but it depends on the number for either. So states with larger programs send two teams and states with smaller programs only send one. Sometimes states (or DC ) drop out, allowing more states to send two teams. Sixty teams compete at nationals every year.

It's based upon number of teams in the state and generally doesn't change much from year to year. An interesting tidbit many people don't realize is that it's not the same for B and C division.

The states that sent 2 teams last year:
B: CA, MI, NC, NY, OH, IL, PA, MO, GA, TX, IN, FL, AL, KS
C: CA, MI, NC, NY, OH, IL, PA, MO, GA, TX, IN, ND

I believe the last ones of the list were the 'bubble' states (i.e. they got an extra spot since someone else didn't send a team. Also note that B has 2 extra states because DC and HI sent C teams (but not B teams)