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April 12, 2024

This newsletter contains news and information of interest to Montana Science Olympiad coaches - current, past and future. For questions, please contact the MSU Science Math Resource Center.

Important tournament day updates

Tournament Wisdom with the MSU Science Olympiad Student Club. 

If you missed this week's presentation, you can watch the recording along with other past student Webinars. This 15-minute presentation will help your competitors feel comfortable next Friday! See also: Experimental Design, Tower, Wind Power.


Block schedule and room assignments - final draft Monday

Our website includes the second draft of our Block Schedule and room assignments; the FINAL DRAFT will be posted by Monday. We anticipate there will be no time changes, although there may be a few small changes in room assignments. Visit the Tournament Day Web page or click on the Tournament Day Information tile on the main site.


Let us know about conflicts

We can resolve scheduling conflicts on tournament day, but we will do our best to address them ahead of time if we can. Look on the Tournament Day web page for a form where you can notify us (right with the Block Schedule)


Scilympiad

If you haven’t yet made an account in Scilympiad, please do so ASAP (or log in to your previous account). If you are making a new coach account, it takes us a little while to attach your team number to your account; once we have done that, you can input your students’ names and assign them to events. All Scilympiad instructions are on the School Coaches and Teams page.


Be sure you have entered your students' names and assigned students to their events. Be sure all students sign the photo release and code of ethics. If you need a PDF of the release form, we will post one on the page above by Monday.


Parking

Please see our tournament day web page for parking instructions and maps. Note that all private vehicles (including cars not labeled as school vehicles and all spectators) must follow MSU visitor parking regulations. The parking garage near the SUB is the easiest, but other options are available. You may want to download the Passport app ahead of time in order to streamline payment. There is no free parking on campus for more than 30 minutes.


Talks & Tours

We still have availability for our Talks & Tours program. Click on the Talks & Tours tile on the main web page. If you sign up for one, please be considerate and notify us or the presenter if you are unable to make it. The Tournament Day web page has some alternate things to do on campus if you don’t sign up for a talk or tour.


Trial event - Ag Sciences

Just a reminder that we are running the Trial Event of Ag Sciences this year. Students can earn medals and certificates, but points will not count toward the team trophy. If you have any alternates on your team, they MAY compete in this event.  Learn more about alternates here.


Opening Ceremony: Meet the MSU Science Olympiad Club

Our keynote speakers for the opening ceremony are from our brand new MSU Science Olympiad Club. They are students who just a few years ago were SciOly competitors, too!

You will definitely enjoy their presentation, so be sure to join us for the opening ceremony at 7:45 in SUB Ballrooms! Middle and high school Science Olympiad participants are encouraged to visit with members of the club throughout the day. High school seniors who plan to attend Montana State University are encouraged to learn about the benefits of club membership.


NEW for 2024! MSU Student Club Symposium

NEW this year! The Science Olympiad Student Club will be hosting the Student Club Symposium during this year's tournament. The symposium will give competitors a chance to see what opportunities are available through Montana State University. We hope you will encourage your team members to attend the symposium during their free time. The symposium will take place in the SUB Alumni Lounge from 10am-2:15pm. The Science Olympiad Student Club is eager to show middle and high school competitors what MSU has to offer!


Museum of the Rockies STEM Night - Thursday, April 18

Registration has now closed but we MAY be able to accommodate you if you let us know ASAP. We will have your tournament packet ready for you at the Museum so you can avoid the registration table line on tournament day. MoR STEM Night is from 5:30 to 8:30pm at Museum of the Rockies. Pizza is available for $1/slice (cash).


Code of ethics reminder

Please remind your students of the Science Olympiad Code of Ethics. One important reminder is that they should not share information from contests they have already taken with teams that have not gone yet (e.g., middle sharing with high school or JV sharing with Varsity). This is unethical and against the spirit of the competition. A gentle reminder to your competitors is appreciated!


Any accommodations needed for students?

If your students need any accommodations in order to participate fully in Science Olympiad, please email mtscioly@montana.edu ASAP. Please note that one of our events is currently scheduled for an upper floor of a building that does not have an elevator. If any of your students will be unable to participate please contact us immediately!


Dining options

Dining options in the SUB are a bit more limited this year with remodeling of the Union Market. You can get pizza, pasta and sandwiches at Bobcat Court on the ground floor of the SUB, but it gets busy near lunchtime. We also now have a Firehouse Subs in Strand Union, and you can order ahead of time through their app.


Your team can also eat in our campus dining halls, Miller Dining Hall or Rendezvous, for an all-you-can-eat price of $15 (credit cards acepted). This is a great way to experience campus life! It can be quite busy at lunchtime, though.


Delivery services like Grubhub, DoorDash or Uber Eats will deliver to campus. Rosa's Pizza is nearby (a coach can go fetch or order delivery), and Town & Country grocery (also walking distance) has a salad bar, deli counter and a lunch special.


Safe travels to Bozeman! Please contact us if you have any questions or need help: mtscioly@montana.edu

Do you know an aspiring Science Olympiad coach or STEM teacher interested in cool opportunities? Please share this newsletter so they can join in. Or, they can subscribe at bit.ly/mtso-newsletter

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