The Society for the Discontinuation of the Pentathlon

[crabnebula143]

I think someone should politely complain about pentathlon, and suggest its a bad event. Hopefully, after next year they won't have it again.

[Glacierguy1]

I wish that I could be in B division this year to be in pentathalon.

[crabnebula143]

why???

[haven chuck]

Pentathalon was a fun trial because it didn't matter. Once it counts, all the fun in it is lost

[paradoxgirl]

pentathalon is ridiculously stupid, and so is the fact that it is in the event listing for this year. it was an event before, and they brought it back because this is supposed to be like an anniversary year or something for SO, which makes no sense because they get rid of events because they are stupid, no onelikes them, or they have better ones, so why bring back one they already got rid of?????

[Untrained_Doctor1]

haven chuck says it all
pentathalon, involves no skill
its just luck and hope that you have a good day in that event
i shall join this movemnt

[crabnebula143]

Quoting paradoxgirl:

THIS IS THE ABSOLUTE STUPIDEST EVENT THEY EVER CAME UP WITH! GUESS WHAT THE MOST CHALLENGING QUESTION WAS IN TRIAL? THROW A BEAN BAG THROUGH A HOOP AND POINT TO YOUR KIDNEY!

[fleet130]

they get rid of events because they are stupid, no one likes them, or they have better ones

For the most part, this is just not true. By far, the majority of events are retired simply to bring in new events. This is necessary because solutions (includes knowledge and lab events) are handed down from one year to the next. New contestants/teams feel they have no chance competing against teams that have mastered the challenge.

Other reasons include; necessary resources unavailable or too costly, difficult to find facilities to house event, lack of participation by teams and too many problems writing language to define the problem.

In the recent years, the goal has been to replace 25%, significant changes to 25%, minor changes to 25% and no change to 25% of the events each year. If applied equally to all events, an event be replaced after 4 years.

In the 23 years I have been involved with Science Olympiad, I have never seen an event replaced that didn't bring complaints that "one of the best events ever should be brought back" (this includes pentathlon).

[sadistic_cottoncandy]

well...the thing is....i am a sporty nerd. my middle school was the smallest one there at nats last yar, and i think the year before that, so everyone has to kind of spread themselves equally. you're either 1. a nerd that focuses completely on their studies and extracurriculars, 2. a jock who lives for sports, or 3. a nerd who is also a jock....about 1/2 my team falls into this category. (it's not that one group thinks they're better than others- we're all really good friends- but it's just what you do) i am most definitely in the third category because not only do i devote most of my time to science olympiad and various other academic extras, but im also on my school's volleyball, basketball, and track and field teams (those are the only sports they offer for girls....besides cheerleading). so i guess what im saying is to not just assume that everyone thinks pentathlon is stupid....ive met a lot of people at my school, and at out-of-state invitationals that absolutely love this event.....as for "how do you study"....you've just got to have a lot of general knowledge about the events and hope it's enough

[zorbak5044]

i like this event. i like it that its more than just studying. you have to physically fit and active too