•ENTRIES.
As many as THREE students from EACH GRADE LEVEL (grades 6, 7 and
8) may be entered in the SCIENCE District Contest from each
school. Designated adults representing each school will select
contestants to represent the campus at the District Meet based on their
abilities and interest in science, as well as other factors,
which are decided upon by each school. Each grade
level is judged separately in contest.
• NATURE OF THE CONTEST.
The contest presents 50 multiple choice problems. Emphasis in
science is placed on three main areas: knowledge of scientific
fact, understanding of scientific principles, and the ability to think
through scientific problems. This last area is a cognitive
challene requiring students to use higher learning skills in order to
arrive at a “solution” or understanding of a problem without previously
having been exposed to that particular set of circumstances.
Approximately 30% of the 50-item test consists of Earth Science
questions; 30% of the questions are about Life Science; about 20%
are Physical Science; and the remaining 20% are on topics relating to
Marine Biology. Some overlapping of these scientific areas may be
within the test questions, as well.
• WHAT HAPPENS IN THE CONTEST.
The contest director will announce the time and place that contestants
and one adult should report for verification of the scoring of tests.
Tests and answer sheets will be distributed to contestants face up, and
contestants will be instructed to write their grade levels and their
contestant ID numbers in the spaces provided on the front cover of the
test and the answer sheet. Contestants must not open the test
until the start signal is given. The contest director will tell
contestants their ID numbers, usually during roll call. (Alternates
taking the place of absent registered contestants should be sure to let
the contest director know as they enter the room to save time in roll
call.) No alarm watches or other devices that emit sound are
allowed in the contest room.
TIME ALOTTED. Contestants will
have 30 minutes beginning at the start signal. No time warning will be
given. Contestants will remain quietly in their seats until the time
has expired.
MARKING ANSWERS.
Contestants will use a pen or pencil to write their CAPITAL
letter answers in the blanks provided on the answer sheet.
ERASURES AND MARKOUTS IN THE ANSWER SPACE ARE NOT PERMITTED. Any
marking in the answer space will constitute an attempt.
• SCORING.
Add 5 points for each correct answer. Subtract 2 points for
each incorrect answer and for each answer that was marked through or
erased. No points are added or deducted for skipping items or
leaving answer spaces blank.
• VERIFICATION PERIOD.
No pens or pencils should be in contestants’ hands while tests and
answer sheets with keys are reviewed. Contestants and ONE coach
OR parent OR adult have 15 minutes to check the computation of scores
and ask questions about items counted incorrect. If the contest
is held before March 31, tests must be turned back in to the contest
director. Contestants will be disqualified from the contest
should the paper be taken from the room prior to this date. After
verification has been completed, awards will be issued. (At State,
medals will be awarded through 6th place.)
• PREPARATION FOR CONTEST.
Read and follow all instructions provided in the “Information
Pertaining to All Contests” section of the PSIA Academic
Handbook. Observe and practice with students all rules and
procedures delineated in the “Instructions to the Contestant” and in
the “Checklist for Contest Directors” and the”“Checklist for
Graders.” Preparation for the Science Contest should include
studies in above grade level state-adopted Science textbooks, from
which most of the test items are derived. Marine Biology study
material is found at the SeaWorld web site. The reading list of current
science publications is also very helpful. Tests from previous
years are available on the PSIA order forms.
• PERSONNEL NEEDED FOR CONTEST.
Contest Director and Assistant Director from two different schools,
each knowledgeable of contest construction and administration.
Graders. Director and assistant director may also serve as
graders. To expedite the grading process, provide at least two
graders for every 15 papers.
• READING LIST. Science World, Scholastic, Inc. National Geographic World -
National Geographic
Kids—800 607-4410 Current Science, Publication
and Subscription
Offices, Field Publications, 4343 Equity
Drive, Columbus, Ohio 43228 www.seaworld.org/infobooks
(click on animal info) Tests from previous years are
available for purchase on the PSIA
Study Materials Order Form.
