Slide1: Nebraska Academic Decathlon Program


USAD Mission Statement : USAD Mission Statement The purpose of the United States Academic Decathlon is to develop and provide academic competitions, curriculum, and assessment to promote learning and academic excellence through teamwork among students of all achievement levels.


What is Academic Decathlon? : What is Academic Decathlon? The premier scholastic competition in America – building “life skills” in students: Teamwork Competitiveness Communication – written and oral Research and life-long learning


The History of Academic Decathlon: The History of Academic Decathlon Created in 1968 by Dr. Robert Peterson, who believed student learning was accelerated and more information was retained if a team environment was provided for learners in conjunction with a competition to test their knowledge. His goal was to encourage large numbers of students, schools, and states to participate in this rigorous educational experience.


History of Nebraska Program –The Beginning: History of Nebraska Program – The Beginning After the decathlon became a national event, Nebraska became involved in 1983 when the Talented & Gifted Program of Omaha Schools(OPS) ran the program for its seven schools. After 3 years, OPS decided it did not want to run a statewide program. A new sponsor was needed.


The New Sponsor-Optimist Clubs of Nebraska: The New Sponsor-Optimist Clubs of Nebraska After several educationally-based organizations with a statewide mission refused to sponsor the program, the Optimist Clubs agreed to handle the task and convinced UNO to join them in a co- sponsorship role. In 1995, Creighton University joined the program as a co-sponsor. In 2000, Creighton became the sole academic co-sponsor.


The Birth of the Operating Company: The Birth of the Operating Company In order to operate the program, a non-profit corporation(Nebraska Academic Decathlon, Inc) was formed. No member of this company receives a salary and the total work is on a voluntary basis. Of the 40 state programs, Nebraska is the only one where an all-volunteer force runs the program without any state funds.


Educational Experience : Educational Experience Based on the model of the athletic decathlon, AD requires participants to prepare for ten academic events. AD does not permit students to “specialize” but rather encourages academic versatility by requiring students to prepare for all ten events. AD stresses educational opportunity and academic excellence.


Program Overview : Program Overview Academic Decathlon is a team competition wherein students match their intellects with students from other schools. Students are tested in ten categories: *Art *Economics *Essay *Music *Language & Literature *Mathematics *Science *Interview *Social Science *Speech (both prepared and impromptu)


Competition Events: Competition Events Seven multiple choice exams – one in each of the following: Art, Economics, Language & Literature, Math, Music, Science, and Super Quiz Three judged communication events: Speech, Interview and Essay


Multiple Choice Exams : Multiple Choice Exams Art, Economics, Language and Literature, Music, and Science each have 50 questions. Math exam has 25 questions. Super Quiz has 10 questions per round. Students are given 30 minutes to complete each of the multiple choice exams.


Communication Events: Communication Events Students are given 50 minutes to complete the Essay exam. Speech – students present one 3 ½ to 4-minute prepared speech and an impromptu speech lasting between 1 ½ and 2 minutes. Interview with a panel of 2 to 3 judges – the interview process usually last between 4 and 7 minutes.


Super Quiz : Super Quiz Comprised of three rounds – Two students from each competitive level (Honor, Scholastic, Varsity) answer ten questions. The rounds start with the Varsity students. Test items are derived from the Super Quiz Resource Guide – This year’s topic – The Civil War.


2007-08 Super Quiz Topic: 2007-08 Super Quiz Topic The Super Quiz topic will focus on curriculum which examines various aspects of the Civil War. The resource guide will include readings on such topics as causes of the war, critical battles and campaigns, the leadership of President Lincoln, the role of slavery, the Emancipation Proclamation, and Reconstruction.


Language & Literature: Language & Literature The language and literature curriculum will include critical reading, one novel and six shorter works. The featured novel will be The Red Badge of Courage by Stephen Crane.


Art: Art The art curriculum topic will be the art of nineteen- century America, and the curriculum will include the study of eighteen selected artworks. The selected artworks are located in many locations: National Gallery of Art, Smithsonian American Art Museum, National Portrait Museum, Metropolitan Museum of Art, and National Museum of American History.


Music: Music The music curriculum will focus on the music of the Civil War era. The Music Resource Guide will cover such topics as public performances and private amusements, music in African-American life, and music of the conflict. The curriculum will include a companion CD, featuring fourteen listening selections.


Science: Science The science curriculum will focus on the transmission, treatment, and prevention of infectious diseases. The Science Resource Guide will include a case study on disease and the Civil War.


Economics: Economics The economics curriculum will focus on fundamentals of economics, including general topics in macro- economics, microeconomics, international trade and global economic development. The economic curriculum will also include a thematic section focused on slavery and the economics of the U. S. Civil War.


Math: Math The math curriculum will cover topics in the fields of general math, algebra, geometry, trigonometry, and differential calculus.


Levels of Competition : Levels of Competition Local scrimmages (November and December) Regional (Third Saturday in January) at various locations across the state. State (Third full weekend in February) at Creighton University in Omaha. Nationals (Garden Grove, California) in April


Awards: Awards Participation Ribbon Year Bar Medals Plaques Trophies Scholarships


National Competition – April : National Competition – April Student compete in all ten events One team per state advances to Nationals Teams compete with 40 other states (three divisions – schools are placed in a division according to their school population)


Regional Competitions : Regional Competitions At this level, schools of similar size compete against each other. There are four size categories in Nebraska(Large, Medium, Small, and Very Small). A Regular Team composed of six members (two students from each competitive level) and an Alternative Team of up to six members (two students from each competitive level) can participate. Regular Team members participate in all seven events and the Alternate Team members participate in six events. At this level, the Essay, Interview, and Speech events are not held.


Regional & State Awards : Regional & State Awards Gold, Silver and Bronze medals are awarded for individual event winners in each division (Honor, Scholastic, and Varsity). All Regular Team members of the first, second, and third placed teams at the Regional and the two divisions at the State Final earn a scholarship.


The Team: The Team The Regular Team consists of six full-time students from 9th – 12th grades of the same high school. Each team is made up of two students from each competitive level. Each school is encouraged to have an Alternate Team of six students. The GPA standards are: Honor 3.75 – 4.00 GPA Scholastic 3.00 – 3.74 GPA Varsity 0.00 – 2.99 GPA


How to Form A Team : How to Form A Team Identify a Coach (need good motivator) Discuss with students the idea of forming a team Recruit additional teachers to help with other subjects Recruit your students at all competitive levels Prepare - Let teachers in the classes that cover Decathlon topics know what you are working on


Team Selection: Team Selection Open up to all students - give tests (USAD scrimmage or other) to determine qualified students Get recommendations from teachers or other students Talk to Counselors Get leads from other students Survey teachers for names of students Check test scores, IQ, standardized tests, etc. Talk to Gifted & Talented Coordinators Hold general meeting - discuss advantages/disadvantages of AD; determine student’s availability; review course work as it relates to current Study Guide topics. Student Characteristics - intelligence, brain power, motivation (desire), coachability, peer acceptance, team player.


Team Recruitment: Team Recruitment Year round effort Coach is salesperson Talk it up in your schools and classrooms Active recruitment may be necessary to secure “varsity” level students Be honest with amount of time required Be alert to extra-curricular activities (especially jobs) Balance the team (freshman through seniors) Test students with last year’s Practice Test or this year’s scrimmage tests from USAD; have students write an essay test for writing ability


Coaches Responsibilities: Coaches Responsibilities Team Recruitment Team Selection Secure Resource Materials Staff Involvement Coaching Team Preparation Register Team Verify GPA’s Make Travel Arrangements for Competition(s) Communicate with State Director Chaperone Team


Why Academic Decathlon?: Why Academic Decathlon? Creates a climate on high school campuses which supports and cheers a program devoted to the achievement of intellectual strength. Teachers from various disciplines and experts from public and private sectors work together in preparing the team. The “C” student – becomes empowered. The “A” and “B” students are given the chance to research and enrich learning. Music and Art appreciation study come alive. Encourages public interest and awareness of outstanding programs in American schools.


How to get started!: How to get started! Contact John R. Anstey, Ph.D., Volunteer Executive Director of the Nebraska Academic Decathlon Program – call 402-498-0798 or email at: jranstey@aol.com Contact USAD at: 866.511.8723 or 712.366.3700 Select a coach Use the official Study Guide and visit the USAD website @ www.usad.org Meet with interested students Begin research according to the Study Guide outlines Recruit faculty and community co-coaches Select students for the team Prepare and practice Compete!


Slide33: Thank you for taking the time to learn about this incredible academic program