Starting up SciOly?

[musical]

Hey Guys!
I've been looking through this forum and other olympiad sites for a while. I'm seriously looking into starting a team at my school..
It's really kind of intimidating though
I'm just wondering if you guys have any tips, etc. from experience?

[tuftedtitmouse12]

well, have you done sci oly before?

[haverstall]

Probably the most important I think I learned when creating a team (that ultimately failed) is making sure everyone understands the schedule. On the Div B team, half of the team was going to be gone on regionals, and the other half during state. That team never got off the ground.

Also, be sure people are actually working. During practices, some kids would spend the entire time on the Internet w/o researching a single thing. The coaches were pretty mad about that.

Finally, have fun. It doesn't really matter if you have a big team or a small team. Since it's your first year, most people aren't expecting you to win state.

[chia]

Make sure you have a coach or two who are willing to meet at least once a week, that sort of thing.
For some tips on how to run a team and how to advertise/get team members, look at http://www.scioly.org/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=2757, http://www.scioly.org/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=2909, http://www.scioly.org/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=2913, and http://www.scioly.org/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=2804.

[tuftedtitmouse12]

Well, i guess you want to make sure that people are dedicated to science olympiad. that means that during meetings, yes it still can be fun times, but somewhere within the weeks, you have to find productivity time, and the people have to find time, whether during meetings or at home or where ever, they have to get things done. sure, its great to have some fun and it would be boring if it was JUST hardcore studying, but...there does have to be some degree of dedication and hardwork.

and yes, like haverstall said, don't expect to make it to state on your first year. just take regionals as a test, and see how well you can do...just give it your all. if you do pretty good, awesome! if you don't do so well, remember, its only your first year.

oh, and productivity helps a lot. last year, our coach tried food as bribes...it didn't work out so well...
make sure the people that do scioly actually want to do it...i mean, sure, if its your first year, then there will have to be some mad dash to scramble together a team, and there will always be some people who do it for credits or whatnot, and...thats just life.
but make sure a HUGE percentage of the team wants to do it and will be willing to dedicate time to work.

and have fun, and don't stress...afterall, it is your first year!

oh, and thanks chia for posting some great links!
and right....i would advise, it being your first year, and starting a team and all, to get a coach and maybe an assistant coach to order out the scheduleing and stuff...and a student "team captain" wouldn't hurt....

theres got to be order....or else it is chaos

[mingtian]

Hey Guys!
I've been looking through this forum and other olympiad sites for a while. I'm seriously looking into starting a team at my school..
It's really kind of intimidating though
I'm just wondering if you guys have any tips, etc. from experience?

Just wondering, how did you stumble across this website.

[NYLHVSSO]

You have to register your team.

As a start, I recommend you get some basic knowledge about Science Olympiad.

This is NOT the official website of Science Olympiad; the official website is soinc.org (see that for more info).

[tuftedtitmouse12]

oh, and maybe contact your state's science olympiad organization


http://outreach.science.tamu.edu/scienceolympiad.asp

[twototwenty]

But definitly follow through with starting the club. SO has to be my favorie and by far the most rewrding of all my acivities. (Read the "Is scioly worth it?" thread for some speeches of like-minded people.)

[NYLHVSSO]

Also you have to make sure teachers are willing to do it. (Unfortunately this is a problem at Tuftedtitmouse12's school.)

1. Make sure everyone understands the schedule
2. Have fun
3. Have a coach
4. Read other threads on this site
5. Don't expect to make it to states the first year
6. Be dedicated to Science Olympiad
7. See if you can register your team
8. Try contacting your state SO organization
9. Check the SO official website
10. Follow through with starting the club


----

Basic Steps for people new to SO (in the correct order).

1. Learn about Science Olympiad a little bit. See how competitions are organized.
2. See if anyone wants to do it at your school.
3. Ask teachers if they want to participate.
4. Contact your state SO organization and the official SO (soinc.org).
5. Get intrest from your school.
6. Register your team.
7. Plan meetings for your team.

Maybe you'll be able to pick up from there...