3nd Annual Division A
Grades 3-6
Date: Saturday, February 7, 2026
Location: San Diego Miramar College
Regional competition will go on rain or shine. Come prepared
NO PETS ALLOWED EXCEPT SERVICE ANIMALS, INCLUDING AT THE AWARDS CEREMONY
Announcements
Posted 1/18/262026 Div A School-Provided Volunteer Signup
See Pre-Tournament section -> Volunteer Signup Instructions for ways to sign up
- DaVinci Decoder event rules updated
- Scheduled of Events Revised 1/16/26 HERE
- Team numbers assigned. Proceed with student event assignments.
- Schedule of Events posted at Resources -> Tournament documents -> Schedule
- Self-Scheduled Events signup is now open
- Division A Rules Manual updated 12/20/25
- Continue recruiting volunteers to help with SD Regional
- Review and complete Head Coach Action Items
- Read News and Updates webpage for up-to-date information
Pre-Tournament
Division A Head Coach Action Items and Deadlines
Subject to the completion of all Head Coach Action Items listed below by the Submit Head Coach Certification deadline, Participant and Head Coach wristbands will be available for pick up at Head Coach Check-in.
Students will not be allowed to compete without wristbands. If a wristband is defective or damaged, the coach and student must bring the wristband to headquarters for validation and replacement before student is allowed to compete.
| Action | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Register and pay registration fees. Spot is not guaranteed until payment has been received and processed. Registration Instructions | 12/15/25 |
| Recruit and sign up volunteers once volunteer signup is posted. One volunteer per team. See School-Provided Volunteer Requirements section for further details. | 1/10/26 |
| Collect Assumption of Risk and Release of Liability Agreement from participants, parents, volunteers, proctors and guests attending tournament. 2 available options: digital or paper format. See below for detailed instructions. | 1/16/26 |
| Add students to the roster pool. Student Roster pool is universal within Scilympiad. If you have created a student roster from previous tournaments, the information will carry forward to future tournaments. Please do not delete students from the roster pool unless they're no longer part of your program. | 1/5/26 |
| Assign students to team (required even if your school has only 1 team) | 1/5/26 |
| Assign students to their events. Event assignments will be used as attendance rosters. If students/teams are not listed on the event attendance rosters, they will NOT be allowed to compete. | 1/20/26 |
| Complete Self-Scheduled Event Signups. Go to Head Coach Dashboard for specifics. Self-scheduled event signups will be used as attendance rosters. If students/teams are not listed on the event attendance rosters, they will NOT be allowed to compete. | 1/16/26 |
| Verify testing schedule (scheduled and self-schedule events) to ensure no scheduling conflicts | 1/16/26 |
| Confirm Team Names. No school name under Team Name column. The system will automatically include school names in the Awards PowerPoint slides | 1/16/26 |
| Complete and Upload Team Roster. The number of participant wristbands will be based on the student count as of the deadline date of Complete and Upload Team Roster. No additional wristbands will be issued onsite. No additional participant wristbands will be issued onsite, except for replacements. | 1/20/26 |
Verify Head Coach Roster at Head Coach Dashboard -> Registration -> Invite Coaches. Invite additional head coaches if necessary. The system will send an invite link with the school ID embedded in the link to invitee to accept and complete Head Coach registration. Immediately after the system sending invite link, the principal will be notified via email asking for confirmation that the invitee is authorized to manage their teams. Student officers managing their Science Olympiad program are required to have at least one adult on campus the entire day. On-site adults can be staff members or school approved volunteers. The number of head coach wristbands will be based on the Head Coach roster as of deadline date of Verify Head Coach Roster. No additional wristbands will be issued onsite. |
1/20/26 |
| Submit Head Coach Certification. Do not submit Head Coach Certification until all actions are completed. Teams exempt from volunteer requirements, do not check: satisfied volunteer requirements and complied with school-provided volunteer conflict of interest. | 1/20/26 |
Scheduled and Self-Scheduled Events
- Div A Event Groupings/Conflict Blocks are the same for all schools; however, not all schools take the scheduled events at the same time. All teams from the same school compete in the same scheduled event time blocks.
- Self-Scheduled Events: Eggstraw-dinary Drop, The Penne Express, Plane and Simple and Tower Power. All others are scheduled events.
- After team numbers are assigned (early January), use the scheduled event rotations to map out possible self-scheduled event testing time blocks to avoid scheduling conflicts for your teams, then once self-scheduled event signup opens, sign up accordingly.
Event assignments and self-scheduled event signups will be used as attendance. If students/teams are not listed on the event attendance sheets, they will not be allowed to compete. Event supervisors will turn them away. Students have to compete within their scheduled time blocks.
Assigned Team Numbers -> Head Coach Dashboard
Completing 2026 Assumption of Risk and Release of Liability AgreementThe 2026 San Diego Regional SO Assumption of Risk and Release of Liability Agreement is available online at Head Coach Dashboard -> Release Forms (under Compliance heading)
This form is intended for San Diego Regional SO participants, alternates, parents, volunteers, proctors and guests attending the San Diego Regional tournament, Division A on 2/7/26 at San Diego Miramar College, Division B 2/7/26 at Miramar College and Division C on 2/28/26 at University of San Diego. Signature of Parent/Guardian (if participant or attendee is under 18 years of age on date of signing) OR Signature of Participant or Attendee (if at or over 18 years of age on date of signing) is required.
Instructions for Head Coaches- Log in -> Head Coach Dashboard -> Release Forms
- Copy red link (NOT the browser URL) in its entirety and share that school specific link with parents/guardians/adult participants/proctors, etc.
- Include Signer instructions with the above-mentioned link
Signers must follow instructions as written below in order to execute the online release form
- Click on school specific link provided by the head coach (start here and do not deviate)
- The system will prompt to Create an account or log in. (DO NOT click on the “Log in” link on the top corner of the homepage)
- Once logged in, click “Add member” to start one form for each person attending or just one for yourself.
- Enter Name, Click Sign then click Submit Form
- The system will bring you back to “Add member” once you click on Submit Form. If applicable, add your minor child/minor attendees
- Confirm your submissions on the “Add a member” page
- If you don’t see the release page, click on the link provided by head coach and start the process again
- Instructions are included on the applicable webpages
- Signature of Parent/Guardian (if participant or attendee is under 18 years of age on date of signing) OR Signature of Participant or Attendee (if at or over 18 years of age on date of signing) is required.
- Each adult must complete their own release. For example, 2 parents are planning on attending. One parent can complete release for parent 1 and their minor child/attendee. Parent 2 follows steps above to complete for parent 2 only.
- No sharing of login account.
- Click on Resources tab-> Tournament Documents -> Category: Release
- Coach collects and upload to Release folder (Head Coach Dashboard -> Upload Documents -> Document Type “Releases”
Hint: Even for those unsure of attending, complete the release form so that you are not behind or miss the deadline. For your sanity, start now.
School-Provided Volunteer Requirements- Division A schools are required to provide one volunteer (adult or college student) per team for the entire day
- San Diego Regional defines adult is a person of at least 18 years of age
- School-provided volunteers must comply with school's volunteer rules and policies
- Code of Ethics & General Rules apply to volunteers
- Lunch will be provided to volunteers, subject to meeting signup deadline. Place lunch order HERE
2 Ways to sign up – volunteers sign up on their own or coaches sign up for their volunteers:
Volunteers Signup Instructions- Click on 2025 Volunteer Opportunities
- Click on applicable Division Volunteer Opportunity box
- Click on the "Sign in" link above the volunteer spots. DO NOT click on Login link in the upper right corner of the homepage
- Enter Email, First Name, Last Name then hit Submit
- Select School Affiliation from the dropdown (if prompted)
- Click on the “Take this Spot” link of the preferred spot. Note, one spot per volunteer (email)
- Confirmation email will be sent upon signup or cancellation; therefore, email must be accurate
- To confirm a signed up volunteer spot, click on the click on the "Sign in" link above the volunteer spot -> Enter Email, First Name, Last Name then hit Submit.
- Collect volunteers’ contact information (Email, First Name and Last Name)
- Click on 2025 Volunteer Opportunities
- Click on applicable Division Volunteer Opportunity box
- Click on the "Sign in" link above the volunteer spots. DO NOT click on Login link in the upper right corner of the homepage
- Enter Email, First Name, Last Name then hit Submit
- Select School Affiliation from the dropdown (if prompted)
- Click on the “Take this Spot” link of the preferred spot. Note, one spot per volunteer (email)
- After completing one volunteer sign up, click the “switch volunteer” link to sign up for the second volunteer, repeat the process
- Please make sure to click the “switch volunteer” link for each sign up. Switch volunteer link will refresh the page for a new volunteer sign up
- Head Coach Dashboard -> Verification/Checklist -> Volunteer/Proctor
- Verify your volunteers have not signed up for more than half of the number of spots needed for an event. Keep below or at 50% volunteer signup spots in any event per school. Doesn't apply to Division A volunteers
- Volunteers did not sign up for events in which their child is competing. Doesn't apply to Division A volunteers
- Event coach cannot sign up to proctor.
- Names listed without assignment indicate registered members associated themselves with your school but did not sign up to volunteer or previously signed up then cancelled
Tournament
ScheduleDiv A Event Groupings/Conflict Blocks Posted 10/12/2025
Head Coach Check-InOn 2/7/26 starting at 6:45 AM in front of S5 building facing Compass Point
To pick up Head Coach and Participant wristbands. Wristbands will not be released unless head coach completes ALL the Head Coach Action Items by the Submit Head Coach Certification deadline
Participant Wristband Procedures- Students will not be allowed to compete without wristbands, make sure that you have the number of wristbands equal to the names on the Team Roster.
- Wristbands are to be placed securely on the wrist of up to 15 competing team members that are on the uploaded Team Roster. Make sure wristbands are tight enough so that it cannot be slipped off-but not too tight. It may be confiscated if it can be easily removed.
- If a wristband is defective or damaged, the coach and student must bring the wristband to headquarters for validation and replacement BEFORE they are allowed to compete.
- Event Supervisors will check student's wrists to see that students have their wristband in place before their event begins.
- The number of Head Coach wristbands issued equal to the names on the Head Coach Roster submitted by deadline.
- Wristbands are to be placed securely on the wrist of the principal-approved head coaches. Make sure wristbands are tight enough so that it cannot be slipped off-but not too tight.
- If a wristband is defective or damaged, head coach must bring the wristband to headquarters for validation and replacement.
- At least one onsite head coach must be an adult school-approved volunteer or a staff member. Student officers may be onsite head coaches; however, they must be accompanied by an adult school-approved volunteer or a staff member and be a designated as a head coach as well.
- Regional Team will discuss concerns/disputes only with head coaches wearing wristbands
- Head coaches wearing wristbands may pick up medals for their team members.
- Team trophies will be presented to coaches wearing Head Coach wristbands.
- Division A - Purple
- Division B - Green
- Division C - Blue
- Head Coach - Red
- School-Provided Volunteer (Proctor) - Yellow
In case of event-related dispute, these steps should be taken in the following order:
- Participant seeks clarifications from Event Supervisor to resolve issues/concerns. Make sure to discuss concerns with Event Supervisor only, who will be wearing an Event Supervisor badge.
- If dispute is not resolved, participant consults with head coach to file an appeal. Appeal must be filed online.
- Event-related dispute occurs between 1st and 3rd testing blocks, online appeal must be filed by 12:00 PM.
- Event-related dispute occurs between 4th and 6th testing blocks, online appeal must be filed by 4:35 PM.
- Appeal filed beyond stated deadlines will not be addressed.
- Team wishing to file an appeal must leave their device and related materials with the Event Supervisor. Once device has been removed from the competition area, the option to file an appeal is null.
- Team filing appeal must stay on campus until appeal has been resolved. If team leaves campus prior to resolution, then the appeal is considered closed and will be classified as resolved.
- To ensure consistency and to avoid disruptions, head coach is NOT to approach the Event Supervisor for clarifications or reconsiderations. Participant is encouraged to speak directly with the Event Supervisor while testing and before exiting the competition area.
- Head Coach will be notified of its ruling, depending on circumstances, by any of the following methods: online, email, text, phone call or in-person.
- The Appeal Committee will do its best to adjudicate as fairly as possible. The decision of the committee is final.
There are significant preparations that went into scheduling, capacity planning, resource distribution, financial investments, etc. All of them depend on accurate event assignments and self-scheduled event signups. Event supervisors have relied on the signups to map their event layout, material and equipment planning, staffing, etc. As a result, San Diego Regional will implement the following Team Composition Policy and Guidelines to make sure the tournaments are running as smoothly as possible. Some of the rules are extracted from the National and State Science Olympiad.
- A maximum of 15 students per team can compete at a tournament
- A team may participate in any number of the events within its division
- Alternates may participate ONLY when one of the 15 regular team members is absent on the day of the competition
- Alternates may not fill in if there is a schedule conflict or if the schedule changes on the day of the competition
- Team composition may not be changed after check-in. Any emergency changes require the tournament director’s approval. For example, Student A on Team Star may not be moved to Team Sky without prior authorization from the tournament director
- Student event assignments within the assigned team may be changed on tournament day; however, report changes to Regional HQ for scoring and record keeping purposes
- Event assignments and self-scheduled event signups are required. It is acceptable to sign up but not show up (no show) on the day of the tournament. You would rather sign up more than actually participate to ensure your teams are listed on the event attendance sheets
- Event assignments and self-scheduled event signups will be used as attendance. If teams are not listed on the event attendance sheets, event supervisors may turn them away which will cause a delay in their start time. Loss of test time will not be extended. Assign events and sign up self-scheduled to ensure your teams are on the attendance sheets to ensure smooth check-in
- Day of changes are subject to event logistics and availability and at the discretion of the tournament director
- Event assignments and self-scheduled event signups are required
- Assigned Participants Arriving Late to Written Event Tests: students may take the event test; however, no time will be extended.
- Assigned Participants Arriving Late to Self-Scheduled Events: if a student of a team arrives late, student may join his/her partner to continue with device testing, but no time will be extended.
- Assigned Team Missed Self-Scheduled Time Block: See Tournament Director immediately
- Multiple Teams from the Same School: participants sit with their partners but not near another team from the same school. Partners can talk quietly during testing but teams from the same school cannot talk to each other.
- SoCal State and Regionals do not release their prior years tests
- San Diego Regional does not require Certificate of Insurance from schools
- Read event rules carefully to ensure participants have the required safety equipment, recommended equipment and items and allowed resources for their events. Depending on the items, participants may not be able to compete or be at a disadvantage if they do not have the required resources.
- Participants are encouraged to bring pencils to use for written event tests. Remember, penmanship counts. If event supervisors cannot read your responses, then they may not be able to score them.
- Important document in the Rules Manual for coaches, chaperones, parents, other adults and participants to read and follow: Science Olympiad General Rules
- Please DO NOT take pictures or record other teams, their devices and competition runs
- Once participants enter the competition area, they must not leave without event supervisor's approval
- While competing in an event, participants must not receive outside assistance, materials or communication until they are finished competing and have exited the competition area. AKA no sideline coaching
- Coaches, parents, chaperones, other adults or team members not competing in the event may NOT coach, advise, instruct, or interact with the participants in any way once participants enter the competition area.
- Coaches, parents, chaperones, other adults, etc. ARE NOT PERMITTED in the competition area
- DO NOT take pictures or record participants once they enter the event testing rooms
- DO NOT take pictures or record event testing rooms
- DO NOT look into event testing rooms through the windows or any other openings
- DO NOT enter event testing rooms for any reason
- Team Headquarters/Staging Area on Compass Point is first come, first serve
- Teams are welcome to start staging at approximately 6:30 AM
- At least 1 adult must be present at your Team HQ throughout the day
- Schools are responsible for cleaning up their Team HQ and surrounding areas at the end of day. All trash must be in the college-provided cash cans or placed next to them for ease of custodian crew
- Outdoor canopies must be weighted at all times. Weights must be fully attached to all the canopy poles and be at least 40 pounds, per pole. If sandbags are used, they must be tied to the poles. Two one-gallon milk jugs (per pole) filled with water may be used as long as they are fully attached to the poles. Use of hard objects for weights is not recommended as they can cause injuries if run into them. Do not use sharp objectives to secure canopies.
- Bring batteries, sunblock, tables, chairs, blankets, first aid kit, sanitizers, wipes, paper towels, table covers, trash bags, paper plates, snacks, water, etc.
- Arrange breakfast and lunch for participants, event coaches and team helpers.
- Pack school banner, notepads, pens, pencils, event campus map, team competition schedule, schedule of events, final Rules Clarifications, etc.
- Print, bring, distribute student labels/badges containing the following information: student name, school, team name, team number, their events, time and location
- Pack Event Required Safety Equipment and Allowed Resources
Scoring/Point System and Awards
National Scoring Guidelines
Participation (P) ranks are assigned points equal to the number of teams that competed in the tournament in each division.
No Show (NS) ranks are assigned one more point than Participation points.
Disqualification (DQ) ranks are assigned one more than No Show.
P=# of teams competed NS=P+1 DQ=P+2
Clarification of Participation Points (P): Teams making an honest attempt to participate but cannot be assigned a raw score due to reasons such as safety hazard, mechanical failure, wrong dimensions, etc. will be listed as a “P” for Participation
Clarification of No Shows (NS): Teams that do not show up or do not make an honest attempt to participate will be listed as a “NS.” This includes teams who may be present but display no preparation for the competition.
The team with the lowest overall points ranks 1st. Team with the second lowest overall points ranks 2nd, etc. Every participant will be receiving a medal. Participant's medal placement will be determined by his/her team's overall ranking.
AwardsMedal/Ribbon Colors:
- Gold, Blue Ribbon
- Silver, Red Ribbon
- Bronze, White Ribbon
- Bronze, Yellow Ribbon
- Bronze, Green Ribbon
- Bronze, Purple Ribbon
- Bronze, Orange Ribbon
- Bronze, Lt. Blue
- Bronze, Pink Ribbon
- Bronze, Maroon Ribbon (10th place and beyond)
The top 3 Division A schools
The team with the lowest overall points ranks 1st. School's placement is based on the best performing team within that school. Team trophies will be presented to coaches wearing Head Coach wristbands.
Welcome to Elementary Science Olympiad
Elementary Science Olympiad (Division A) is the part of the Science Olympiad program designed for elementary school students, especially in 3rd - 6th grades. The Elementary Science Olympiad is arranged to encourage collaboration, team spirit, and enthusiasm for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). The success of the students as they participate in individual events contributes to the overall score of the entire team.
In Elementary Science Olympiad, there are 15 events for a team of up to fifteen student participants. It should be noted that many of the events change from year to year as they align with the changes in the middle school and high school Science Olympiad events for that year. In some cases, the same event is included several years in a row, but the emphasis and content of the event may change. As a result, scoring will be different from year to year.
In order to attend a Science Olympiad tournament, teams must have a head coach approved by the school, submit the online registration form, pay any membership dues, and depending on the tournament site, submit proof of insurance (a certificate of insurance). More information can be found on the registration page, and any requirements will be sent to the head coach.
The Head Coach is an official representative of the school (usually a school teacher or district employee), and must be authorized by the school's principal to represent the school in case of a medical emergency, a scoring dispute, disciplinary action, school sanction, etc.
We hope that you and your students will have fun preparing for the Science Olympiad and that your experience during the day of the tournament will be positive and memorable. Long experience has shown that if you approach the day with flexibility and a sense of fun, your students will have a great experience.
Collaboration and Team Spirit
Scheduling Students
A variety of events are chosen each year, and each year some new events are included while others are rotated out. Generally, there are between 15 events and most events allow a set of up to two students to participate. It is common for each student to participate in several events, but not all of them. A schedule will be prepared each year, with several events taking place at the same time. Determining which students will participate in which events is an important part of coaching a Science Olympiad team. From time to time, students who are well qualified in certain events may find that those events are scheduled at the same time. Successful teams will include a number of students who are ready to participate in many events: that is, fewer experts in one or two events and many students who are prepared in many events.
Sustained Engagement
Competition is a motivating and exciting part of the Science Olympiad, but it is not the most significant outcome of the tournament. A keystone of the Elementary Science Olympiad is to encourage students to explore new content and engage in problem solving strategies, employing science and engineering practices. Science and engineering practices take place over time, and the Science Olympiad is designed to provide students with opportunities to explore, design, test, collect data, revise, and refine their ideas and solutions.
Events
There are four main categories of events: Content Events, Engineering and Design Construction Events, Engineering and Design Preparation Events, and Inquiry and Problem Solving Events. The events for this year can be found here.
Content Events
A number of the events ask students to learn about a topic or content area in preparation for a test or practical assessment. These events may cover a wide range of content. A detailed list of content to study is generally not provided. The intent is to encourage students to explore the content area and learn more about it.
The event might include a written test, questions posed in a PowerPoint presentation, or stations where students observe or manipulate materials and respond to questions. Some Content Events might include stations where samples are included at each station with question(s) about each sample. Students record responses at each station and rotate as the Event Supervisor calls time. There might be only a minute or two at each station. Other Content Events might include models or photos, drawings, or diagrams at each station. Students might be asked to identify the model/drawing and answer a few questions. These questions will likely include applications of what the students know. There may be more questions than students can answer in the allotted time.
The events are designed to encourage collaboration and allow multiple students to participate together - most often two students, but in some cases three or more. When an event is listed as "up to two students," it is also acceptable to send only one. Check the event description and schedule for details. Students discuss each station or question together quietly and collaborate to produce a response or answer - one response sheet per team.
Ways to Prepare:- Inform the students that most events allow multiple students to collaborate in response to the problems and questions, but that one response sheet will be submitted for the team. This approach may be unfamiliar to students who are accustomed to submitting individual work.
- Provide opportunities for students to collaborate on problems and be assessed based on collaborative work.
- Provide opportunities for students to manage time in a problem solving setting, making decisions as they go.
- Help students to understand that they may not be able to finish all the questions and that all teams are in the same circumstances.
- Provide time, opportunity, and materials for students to explore new content areas. Help them to organize new information and ideas, take notes, and look for big ideas that connect information and details.
Engineering and Design Construction Events
A number of events ask students to complete a design challenge and construct a device according to announced specifications that they will bring to the Science Olympiad in order to compete.
These events might include detailed construction parameters that must be followed closely. Failure to remain within the specifications and the spirit of the event may result in being ranked below teams who followed it. These events often require creativity within a range of limiting factors. The design challenge is to design, build, test, revise, etc. until the best solution is found within the limitations of the specifications.
In some events, devices must be impounded before the competition, meaning they are delivered to Event Supervisors during the impound period before the event begins. Students may not touch the device until shortly before their competition time.
Some of the construction events include preparation for a range of conditions. For example, the event may specify that students need to be prepared for a target distance within a range of distances. The distance is not announced until after the event begins -after impound if the event includes it.
These events must be the work of the students. An adult may help the students with the construction and advise them on construction techniques and design principles. An adult may help with some of the tools that facilitate construction. But, the device should be significantly the design and work of the students. Remember that at the Science Olympiad, the students must be able to transport, set-up, calibrate, and in every way operate the device. Coaching by adults from the sidelines is not permitted.
Ways to Prepare:- Provide time, opportunity, and resources for students to brainstorm a variety of solutions to the engineering design challenge.
- Provide time, opportunity, and resources for students to learn about the science concepts related to the device. Help them organize and record what they are learning.
- If desired, students may work with a mentor or other volunteers after school hours to design, build, and test the device.
- Be sure the students understand the process of impound, or any requirements or logistics of the event that might be a challenge on the day of the Science Olympiad.
- Provide time, opportunity, and resources for students to construct, test, revise, rebuild, calibrate, and otherwise prepare as determined by the specific event. This may include preparing data sheets and other information that will help the students use the device effectively during the competition.
Engineering and Design Preparation Events
Some events ask students to practice skills, strategies and engineering understanding in preparation for building a structure or device when they arrive at the Science Olympiad. The specific conditions may not be known in advance. The spirit of the event is to build a device that achieves the goals while optimizing specific parameters.
- Encourage students to be prepared for a variety of conditions.
- Help the students to be ready for uncertainty. Have them practice with a wide range of materials. Are they prepared to construct a device with different goals? Help the students learn to collaborate and respond to uncertainty, unforeseen problems, and frustration during the event. Perhaps they might learn about communication skills and practice working together on some unknown tasks.
- Provide opportunity for students to deal with frustration and "think on their feet." You might employ a number of activities that include problem challenges that small groups can work on together.
Inquiry and Problem Solving Events
Some events require students to respond to problems or discrepant observations live during the event at the Science Olympiad. These events will likely involve problems that are unique and unfamiliar to the students. In these events, students are asked to describe their ideas, how they would explore the ideas and check them, what additional information they need and how they might obtain it, and how they might discover if they are correct. Scoring in this event may emphasize science inquiry process more than correct solutions.
These events may include observing a discrepant event demonstration or may involve hands-on problem solving. Collaboration and teamwork may be emphasized.
Ways to Prepare:- Engage the class in open-ended problem solving activities, particularly discrepant events.
- Engage students in reflection on their own inquiry and problem solving strategies. Have them describe strategies that have been useful, or not. Have them identify a variety of inquiry strategies based on their practice and discussion.
- Teach communication and collaboration skills and strategies, including listening, turn taking, summarization, group roles, etc. Problem solving generally includes identifying variables, options, alternatives, and multiple ideas. Provide opportunity for students to learn and practice problem-solving strategies. As with other events, prepare the students for uncertainty.
- Written communication is often essential as students may be asked to write their ideas, solutions, related questions, etc. related to the problem.