Science Olympiad

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

Learn about Science Olympiad and its benefits

242: Science Olympiad

I have coached a homeschool Science Olympiad team for many years and have seen the huge benefits it has provided to the students involved.

For more information about the contest visit Soinc.org.

If you can’t find a team in your area – start one!

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Take a look at show sponsor, FundaFunda Academy to see what they offer for online classes and web-based unit studies.

Join our Facebook Group, especially for the listeners of this podcast! You can ask questions and get advice as you try integrating technology into your homeschool. You can also ask more about Science Olympiad!

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Learn about Science Olympiad and its benefits

A Techie History Contest

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

A techie history contest


Episode 5: A Techie History Contest

 

National History Day is one of my favorite contests because it combines 2 things I love – history and technology.

Our show sponsor, FundaFunda Academy also combines these two in their web-based unit studies on World War 2. These are delivered online, use online resources and incorporate techie projects. Until Friday 26th October, you can enter a giveaway to win two web-based unit studies.

An overview of National History Day

National History Day begins at the school level, but usually, homeschoolers can bypass this and go straight to the regional contest. The winners of that move on to the state competition and those winners attend the National History Day Contest in Washington DC during the summer.

National History Day is for students in 6th through 12th grade, but the information in this episode will also be useful for parents with younger students.

The contest always has a theme – this year it is Triumph & Tragedy in History. Within that theme, students can select any topic that fits. It can cover American or World History.

There are 2 parts to the contest: research and presentation. Both of these contain techie elements.

Research

Students need to gather a variety of source material, both primary and secondary sources. At the regional level, I suggest they have at least 15 – 20 different sources.

Some places they can find sources are:

  • the library: students need to learn to find books in their local library and also how to request books from interlibrary loans
  • the library website: you will be amazed at the resources you get free online with a library membership. You are likely to get Kanopy (a video streaming website with thousands of documentaries), newspaper archives, databases and digital collections.
  • online search: this is a good opportunity to make sure your children know how to search effectively and how to identify credible sources. Also show them Google Scholar, a search tool, which filters only academic sources
  • Library of Congress website
  • Experts in the field: teach your children to craft a professional email to ask experts about the topic

Once students have a number of sources, they need to learn how to use online tools like Easybib to create a bibliography and citations.

Presentation

After students have done their research, they must choose one of 5 different presentation categories. They can work alone or in a group.

1. Paper

While presenting the research as a paper isn’t very high tech, students will need to use a word processor, know how to do a word count, correctly lay out the paper etc.

2. Performance

Once again word processing skills will be needed to produce the script and bibliography.

3. Exhibit

In this category, the visual appearance of the text is important. Students will also need to use fonts and colors well. Exhibits are created on trifold boards.

4. Website

Students use Weebly to create websites for the National History Day contest. They will need to know how to use hyperlinks, insert interactive elements, upload files, and include videos.

5. Documentary

Students can use any video editing software (including whatever comes free on their computer) to create a documentary on the topic. This category will stretch a student’s techie skills as they need to know how to edit video and audio, insert photos and provide their own narration.

You will find a LOT of help on the National History Day website, and you are also welcome to reach out to me. All my own children participated in this contest and 3 of them reached the National level. A number of my students have achieved this as well.

 
If you found this useful, please subscribe to the show wherever you get your podcasts.

Contact Meryl via email on meryl@mediaangels.com or connect with her on Pinterest, Instagram, and Facebook.

A Techie History Contest


Special Thanks to Our Network Sponsor – Change is in the Air Movie

This story embraces the imperfections that make us human, offers a way to set ourselves free and asks us all to take a good, long look at the wild birds in the sky.

Watch the trailer here!


HomescholingIRL Episode 7 – Christmas Party!

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

HIRL-Christmas-2013 copyMerry Christmas from Homeschooling In Real Life!

On this very fun episode, Fletch and Kendra discuss the real life issues of holiday stress and how to avoid Christmas burnout. They also get into the Christmas spirit by handing out several gifts to their listeners.

Gift #1 – A New Website
We are so excited to introduce all the HIRLers to HomeschoolingIRL.com. This is a great opportunity for us to connect with our listeners and readers directly. We will continue to host the audio for our podcast right here on the UltimateRadioShow.com, but our website will be the home of our new blog, our online store and an all-in-one location for listeners to connect with Fletch and Kendra.

Gift #2 – A 100$ Amazon Gift Card
This very easy contest and rules are located over on our blog at the new website. To play along, follow this link. Good luck!

Gift #3 – A Pound of Coffee from Fletch
You know how much Fletch loves coffee? I still can’t believe he’s giving up a pound of his very favorite beans. Listen to the podcast and play along with Fletch’s Christmas Movie Quiz.

Join Fletch (from theMangoTimes) and Kendra (from Preschoolers and Peace) podcast every two weeks as they interview guests and talk through some of the goofiness they have experienced in nearly two decades of Homeschooling In Real Life.