Science Word

Science Word is a trial event currently being run in Texas and Colorado. It was last run as a nationwide event in 2008.

Description
A team of two is given a stack of 40 terms. In an alternating fashion, each member guesses at the words. One member gives their partner 1 to 2 word clues and is unable to give them another clue until they have guessed. Each member alternates between the roles of cluer and guesser. There are 4 minutes to guess the 40 terms. The team with the most terms guessed at the end of the 4 minutes wins. The terms will be no longer than 2 words (i.e. partial lunar eclipse would not be a term) although a hyphenated word counts as one word (i.e. sea-floor spreading would be allowed). Also, the words may not be proper nouns, however, proper nouns MAY be given as clues. Additionally, it is not permitted to use the science word as one of the clue words.

Scoring
One point is given to every correct term. The team with the most points wins.

There are 4 events that can break the tie.
 * 1) Longest String of Correct Words
 * 2) Getting the first word right passed by the other team.
 * 3) Fewest Terms passed.
 * 4) Shortest Period of time.

Strategies

 * PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE! This is the key to winning.
 * Pass terms that are too hard or complex. Practice back to back, face to face, and having a screen (aka blanket).
 * Try narrowing down from broad to specific. Practice with easy terms and hard terms. The terms might be given to you in many forms note cards, strips of paper, and a big sheet of paper that you can only see. Practice with all of them.
 * Have your teacher make a list with 40 words and columns for three clues.
 * List the clues with a partner and then have an in-team competition. Award the winning team with some sort of prize.
 * Try going through science textbooks' glossaries with your teammate, and saying the words you would use as clues to each other.
 * Go home and make a list of 40 words that are new to your practicing. (internet glossaries are very useful) Have your partner do the same. At the next practice, combine the two lists and shuffle (important so one partner doesn't have a heavy advantage during practice). This is helpful because it gets new words into the mix along with helping get a good understanding of the way your partner thinks.
 * Play Taboo or a similar game with your partner! Not only is it fun, but it helps you get inside your partner's head. Plus, you never know what kinds of crazy words they'll throw at you for competition.
 * Know your partner, this really helps if you do. I've seem total strangers do this event and they didn't do that well.
 * Be prepared for the unexpected, practice back to back, with a screen and face to face.
 * Consider making a set of words, just use note cards and a box to hold them.
 * Practice with and without a timer. 4 minutes isn't a long period of time.
 * Ask your event supervisor about some rules that are up to their interpretation (it's always good to just check).
 * Don't be pass happy in practice or competition (what's the point of passing all 40 terms?).
 * When you in the competition, relax, get there early with your partner and take a breath. Don't be that person who hyperventilated right in the middle of the term atom.
 * Practice with both hard and easy words. You never know what might come up.
 * In the beginning practice for speed try to reduce "um"-ing and stalling ("next" if you don't know).
 * It's been said, but PRACTICE. Don't be that team that never even practiced before (this event is worth just as much as any other, so why not?).
 * But the most important thing is to HAVE FUN. Don't be that team that gets witchy because you only got 35 out of 40 words, or you partner didn't get your clue for subatomic particle.
 * Be happy with what you get, but if you really need to know, 25+ generally guarantees you a medal.

Links

 * Picture This Words for practice; although designed for a different event, the content is very similar.
 * Most recently used trial rules in Texas