Science Olympiad

Rock Hound

2019 .

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Contents

• Event description

• Topics

• Outline

• Coaching tips

• Making tests

• Putting together a team

• Test-taking strategies

• Resources

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Event Description

• A team of up to 2 will demonstrate knowledge of Rocks, Minerals and Geology principles

• Writing implements (Pencils only) and a Chart are all that contestants are allowed to bring

• Test format will be about 20 stations, and about 100 questions

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Event Topics

• Sample identification

• Uses

• Physical attributes

• Special properties

• Sedimentary Rock and Fossil Emphasis

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Minerals

• Minerals are pure natural crystalline solids

• Minerals have properties that aid in

identification

– Including but not limited to: streak, hardness,

specific gravity, luster, crystal habit and form,

color

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Rocks

• Rocks are classified into three groups; Igneous, Sedimentary and Metamorphic

• Rocks are made of Minerals

• The overall proportion and type of minerals define the rock

• The relative and overall differentiation of these minerals usually give insight into how the rock formed

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Fossils

• Fossils are the remains or impression of a

prehistoric organism preserved in petrified form

or as a mold or cast in rock

• A mold is a fossil formed when the organism is

buried then decays to leave an impression in the

rock

• A cast is a fossil formed when the organism

decays and the void is filled with sediment

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COACHING TIPS

• Practice! A lot!

• Weekly quizzes and work on:

• Arranging specimens in groups

• Charts

• Diagrams

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20 Stations

in covered boxes A-T

Time the boxes are open is controlled

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Letters on top of the boxes

Movement ascending the

alphabet A - T then T - A

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Questions & Answers are found

in the box tops

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Samples are found in and

around the boxes

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Recording Answers

• This event will be multiple choice

– These answers will be recorded on a ZipGrade

answer sheet

– Value of the questions will range from one to

three points; the point values will not be stated

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Sedimentary Rock and Fossil

“Emphasis” • There will be additional emphasis on sedimentary rocks,

minerals associated with sedimentary rock and other sedimentary processes compared to previous years

• There are also four fossils included this year

• This does not mean that it will be an sedimentary only event- the vast majority of the event will be similar to previous years

• You should still make sure to study all of the other rocks and minerals on the list

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Sedimentary Rock “Emphasis”

• For 2019, two Sedimentary rocks and a

mineral have been added to the list

– Breccia (rock)

– Travertine (rock)

– Barite (mineral)

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Fossil “Emphasis”

• For 2019, four common fossils have been

added to the list

– Brachiopod

– Gastropod

– Horn Coral

– Petoskey Stone

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2019 Science Olympiad Rock

and Mineral List

• Samples for identification must be taken

from this list

• Event supervisors are free to use samples

not on the list, however participants will

not be required to identify those samples

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Rule Clarifications

• Check the Macomb Science Olympiad

web site often for rule clarifications. – www.macombso.org/esofaqs

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Practicing

• Give lots of quizzes – even if they’re only 5 samples!

• Have kids make quizzes

• Use flash cards

• Have samples available at every practice and whenever kids want to study (study hall?)

• Have kids quiz each other and ask associated questions

• Play Pictionary, hangman, charades, anything

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Arranging Samples

• By Mineral or Rock

• By relative hardness

• In groups

– By Mineral family: e.g., Quartz, Gypsum, etc.

– By Rock type: i.e., Igneous, Sedimentary,

Metamorphic

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Charts

• Same as last year:

– The chart size must be limited to a maximum

of 8.5”x14”

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Making Practice Tests

• Clearly convey expectations at beginning of test

• Choose specimens that have typical

characteristics

• Put one or more specimens per station

• Label specimens so they can’t be mixed up!

• Pair supplemental questions with specimens

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Making Practice Tests (cont.)

• Provide information if necessary (Formula)

• Provide equipment if necessary (hand lens)

• Try to cover all topics reasonably evenly

• Work out the traffic pattern and label it

• Indicate or don’t indicate tiebreakers, but include

them in the regular score

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Putting together a team

• Have more than 2 students per team practicing

• Pair your strengths (both identification and conceptual)

• Have students practice together

• Practice with the chart that will be used at the competition

• Be sure the students will support each other – Both students should contribute

– If one is more dominant in the event, he/she should be a mentor, not just take over

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Test-Taking Strategies

• Know the event! (rules and format)

• Know the subject! (concepts and identification skills)

• Talk quietly (the competition may be listening)

• Don’t mix up the specimens

• Don’t leave your chart behind

• Don’t panic if a station is left unfinished – Take notes and try to finish while at another station

– If all else fails, guess

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Summary

• Practice identification

• Assemble teams that can work together

• Build and practice using a useful chart

• Keep a sense of humor

• Have FUN! Rock and Roll !!!

• Best Luck to all.

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The End

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