Pentathlon
Template:EventLinksBox Pentathalon is a Division B event last run in 2010. The event is a mix of five physical and academic challenges that students in teams of four aim to complete as quickly as possible, competing as a relay. The event may occur in all but hazardous weather, meaning a gym, cafeteria, track, football field, etc., are all possible areas.
General Advice
This event is different from all the other Science Olympiad events. Generally if you are good at science and you are ready to do the crazy physical challenges, you will do well at this event. Also, choose the physical challenges carefully for each team member.
Examples of Challenges
Academic
- Find the density of a solid
- Rank minerals by hardness
- Match specimens with phylum
- Sort planets/other elements in the universe in size/location
- Sort liquids by pH
- List the most reactive element
- Name the least reactive elements
- Sort objects by density
- Calculate the density of an object
- Looking through a compound microscope and determining the length of a specimen
- Label a plant and animal cell
- Order the planets by mass
- Put waves in order by wavelength
- Put identification classes in order (ex. Kingdom, Phylum...)
- Match Scientists with discoveries
- Putting items in timeline
- Slide three magnets onto a metal rod, having none of them touch each other (as in having the same polarity facing each other)
- Arranging items in increasing mass
- Identifying general parts of the body (Heart, lungs, brain, etc.)
- Measuring out a certain amount of liquid
- Sort Rocks by Type
- Sort Elements by Solid, Liquid or Gas
etc.
Physical
- Bean bag throw
- Basket-ball dribbling
- Balance games
- Golf ball carried in a spoon over a distance
- Jumping rope
- Running with a ball between legs
- Sack racing
- Pogo stick hopping
- Basket-ball shooting
- Soccer shooting
- Hula hooping
- Jumping jacks
- Riding tricycle around cones
- Pushing something with broom
- Mini-golf
- Spinning around in circles and then walking in a straight line
- Doing forward rolls while holding the baton
- Hitting a target with a frisbee
- Doing push-ups
- Running/skipping a certain distance
- Running in between cones
- Mini-Obstacle Course
etc.
Team Challenges
Physical
- Passing a ball back and forth and shooting
- Getting Hula Hoop around human circle (holding hands)
- Group Skis
- Put together a puzzle
- 5 legged race
- Throwing a frisbee around in a circle
- Relay race
- Carry a Large ball with arms locked-the people facing outward
Academic
- Assigning 15 different plants to their respective quality - vegetable, fruit, flower
Day of the Event
You and your teammates do not want to be tired, stressed out, depressed, or not feeling the best that they could. Some/much of this event has running, so make sure your legs aren't weak. If you think that you're going to be tired later in the day and your timeslot is near the end, then try to take as many breaks as you can, eat healthy, and drink plenty of water. If you wear glasses or contacts, be sure to put them on prior to the event. Wear running shoes if you have them. Finally, relax, this event is not meant to be a stressor of any kind, just try your best and be positive.
Resources
Some good resources would be a general science textbook and/or an online quiz. You also will want to know your partners' strengths and weaknesses so you can decide who does what in the obstacle course. Other ideas for academic events can be simple lab activities such as weighing an object, determining the pH of a solution, etc.
Links
General Quizzes
- http://education.jlab.org/million/
- http://triviapark.com/quizzes/qzs1x/q4.html
- http://hypography.com/forums/quiz.php
- http://hypography.com/forums/quiz.php?catid=1
- http://www.iq.poquoson.org/studysubjectareascience.html
- http://www.funtrivia.com/quizzes/sci__tech/earth_science.html
http://chemistry.about.com/od/testsquizzes/l/blsciencequiz3.htm?lastQuestion= New York Coaches Conference [1]