| Clarification: |
A Field Guide (Section 2) is defined for Science Olympiad purposes as "A published manual (any size) which identifies objects in a class, usually natural things, for carrying in the field or classroom." (10/27/08
North Carolina will be using the Eastern Field Guide |
Description:
This event is usually done as stations that teams rotate through. It can also be done as an individual test taking event, where each station has been copied into a test for the team. Teams may be viewing any combination of live or preserved specimens, pictures, or recorded/written descriptions. They will then be asked to answer questions (multiple choice, fill in the blank, short answer, etc) about the specimen, including but not limited to identification (no more than 50%), anatomy, habitat, life cycle, diet, history, etc. Teams may be asked multiple questions at each station.
Materials:
Students MUST bring a writing instrument. Teams may also bring 1 published field guide (teams may alter with written notes, post-its, tabs, etc) and 1 unaltered Official Specimen List. North Carolina will be using the Eastern field guide.
Event Leader will provide the specimens, official test and answer sheet
Scoring:
High score wins. Predetermined questions will be used as tiebreakers.
Common Mistakes:
- Every year there are a handful of teams at the regional and state level who are disqualified for bringing materials that are not allowed. Pay extra attention to what teams are and are not allowed to alter.
- While teams are allowed to alter their field guides, they are NOT allowed to alter any copy of the Official Specimen List. This means teams cannot print an extra copy of the Official Specimen List to cut up for labels in their field guide, this is grounds for disqualification. Teams ARE allowed to write their own labels.
Recommendations:
- Practice identifying specimens from life as well as pictures or diagrams.
- Try splitting the list between the members of the team and becoming an expert on one half. The danger in this is what to do if one member is unable to attend the competition at the last minute.
- If one student is better at looking things up in the field guide, have that student do all the looking up while the other scans the station for easy questions they can answer without the book.
Event Resources:
2008 Coaches Institute Presentation (Based on 2009 rules)
2007 Coaches Institute Presentation (Based on 2008 rules)
Great Website at Davidson!
Sample Test, Questions:
Example Amphibians and Reptiles Regional Event (based on 2008 Rules, Not 2009 Rules)
Example Herpetology Regional Event (based on 2008 Rules, Not 2009 Rules)
Pictures and Video: |
