Introducing Introducing

Minnesota Academic Minnesota Academic Decathlon Decathlon

2015-20162015-2016

““India”India”

USAD Mission StatementUSAD Mission Statement

The mission of the U. S. Academic The mission of the U. S. Academic Decathlon® is to promote learning Decathlon® is to promote learning and academic excellence among and academic excellence among students of varying achievement students of varying achievement levels by developing and providing levels by developing and providing multidisciplinary academic multidisciplinary academic competitions using U.S. Academic competitions using U.S. Academic Decathlon®-based curricula.Decathlon®-based curricula.

The History of Academic The History of Academic DecathlonDecathlon

Academic Decathlon was created in 1981 by Academic Decathlon was created in 1981 by Dr. Robert Peterson, former Superintendent Dr. Robert Peterson, former Superintendent of Schools in Orange County, California. He of Schools in Orange County, California. He firmly believed that everyone’s learning firmly believed that everyone’s learning potential could be maximized through potential could be maximized through competitive challenge. Dr. Peterson set in competitive challenge. Dr. Peterson set in motion the contest that has since come to motion the contest that has since come to be recognized as the most prestigious high be recognized as the most prestigious high school academic team competition in the school academic team competition in the United States.United States.

What is Academic What is Academic Decathlon?Decathlon?• It emphasizes the personal and It emphasizes the personal and

academic growth of each student academic growth of each student

• Encourages students to meet the Encourages students to meet the challenges with honesty and integrity challenges with honesty and integrity

• Helps students obtain greater self-Helps students obtain greater self-knowledge and self-confidence knowledge and self-confidence

• Develops teamwork, competitiveness, Develops teamwork, competitiveness, communication and research skills, communication and research skills, and a quest for life-long learning and a quest for life-long learning

Program OverviewProgram Overview

Academic Decathlon is a team competition Academic Decathlon is a team competition wherein students match their intellects with wherein students match their intellects with students from other schools. Students are students from other schools. Students are tested in ten categories:tested in ten categories:

*Art*Art *Economics*Economics *Essay*Essay

*Interview*Interview *Literature*Literature *Mathematics*Mathematics

*Music*Music *Science*Science *Social Science*Social Science

*Speech (both prepared & impromptu)*Speech (both prepared & impromptu)

Educational ExperienceEducational Experience

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

Competition EventsCompetition Events

• Seven multiple choice exams – one in Seven multiple choice exams – one in each of the following: Art, each of the following: Art, Economics, Literature, Math, Music, Economics, Literature, Math, Music, Science, and Social ScienceScience, and Social Science

• Three judged communication events: Three judged communication events: Speech, Interview and Essay Speech, Interview and Essay

Multiple Choice ExamsMultiple Choice Exams

• Art, Economics, Literature, Music, Art, Economics, Literature, Music, Science and Social Science each Science and Social Science each have 50 questions.have 50 questions.

• Math exam has 35 questions.Math exam has 35 questions.

Students are given 30 minutes to Students are given 30 minutes to complete each of the multiple choice complete each of the multiple choice exams.exams.

Communication EventsCommunication Events

• Students are given 50 minutes to Students are given 50 minutes to complete the Essay exam.complete the Essay exam.

• Speech – students present one 3 ½ to 4-Speech – students present one 3 ½ to 4-minute prepared speech and an minute prepared speech and an impromptu speech lasting between 1 ½ impromptu speech lasting between 1 ½ and 2 minutes.and 2 minutes.

• Interview with a panel of 2 to 3 judges – Interview with a panel of 2 to 3 judges – the interview process usually last between the interview process usually last between 4 and 7 minutes.4 and 7 minutes.

Super QuizSuper Quiz

•The Super Quiz™ Relay is a stand alone event and scores will NOT be added to

individual or team scores.

• Test items are derived from all of the Test items are derived from all of the objective testing areas including math objective testing areas including math in some instances.in some instances.

ArtArt

The art curriculum is an introduction to The art curriculum is an introduction to the art of India, with a focus on the art of India, with a focus on Buddhist, Hindu and Indo-Islamic art Buddhist, Hindu and Indo-Islamic art and architecture in addition to Colonial and architecture in addition to Colonial and Postcolonial art and architecture.and Postcolonial art and architecture.

EconomicsEconomics

The economics curriculum is an The economics curriculum is an introduction to Economics and the introduction to Economics and the Indian Economy.Indian Economy.

Topics covered include:Topics covered include:

• MicroeconomicsMicroeconomics

• MacroeconomicsMacroeconomics

• The Indian EconomyThe Indian Economy

LiteratureLiterature

The literature curriculum will cover the The literature curriculum will cover the literature of India and the Indian literature of India and the Indian Diaspora. Selections includes critical Diaspora. Selections includes critical reading, one novel, and seven shorter reading, one novel, and seven shorter works. The featured novel will be works. The featured novel will be Nectar in a Sieve Nectar in a Sieve (1954), Kamala (1954), Kamala MarkandayaMarkandaya

MathMath

The mathematics curriculum is an The mathematics curriculum is an overview of:overview of:

• Permutations and CombinationsPermutations and Combinations

• AlgebraAlgebra

• StatisticsStatistics

MusicMusic

The music curriculum is an The music curriculum is an introduction to the music of India introduction to the music of India including theory, regional traditions, including theory, regional traditions, classical, and film and popular music. classical, and film and popular music. The curriculum package includes a The curriculum package includes a 14-track music CD. 14-track music CD.

ScienceScience

The science curriculum is an The science curriculum is an introduction to Ecology including:introduction to Ecology including:

• Individual and population EcologyIndividual and population Ecology

•Community EcologyCommunity Ecology

•Ecosystem and landscape EcologyEcosystem and landscape Ecology

Social ScienceSocial ScienceThe social science curriculum is an The social science curriculum is an

introduction to the history of introduction to the history of modern India including:modern India including:

•The British in India (1707-1857)The British in India (1707-1857)

•High colonialism to independence High colonialism to independence (1857-1947)(1857-1947)

• Independent India (1947-91)Independent India (1947-91)

•Contemporary India (1991-2014)Contemporary India (1991-2014)

Levels of CompetitionLevels of Competition

• Online scrimmagesOnline scrimmages• Online regionalOnline regional• Online and face-to-face stateOnline and face-to-face state• NationalsNationals

– (2016) – Anchorage, Alaska(2016) – Anchorage, Alaska– (2017) – Madison, Wisconsin(2017) – Madison, Wisconsin– (2018) – Dallas-Frisco, Texas(2018) – Dallas-Frisco, Texas

National CompetitionNational Competition• Students compete in all ten events plus Students compete in all ten events plus

the Super Quiz eventthe Super Quiz event• One team per state advances to One team per state advances to

NationalsNationals• Teams compete with other states in Teams compete with other states in

their division, which is based on school their division, which is based on school populationpopulation

2016 National Competition will be held in:2016 National Competition will be held in:Anchorage, Alaska!!Anchorage, Alaska!!

AwardsAwards(both team & individual)(both team & individual)

• Certificate of ParticipationCertificate of Participation

• MedalsMedals

• PlaquesPlaques

• TrophiesTrophies

• ScholarshipsScholarships

State & National CompetitionsState & National Competitions

Each team member competes in all Each team member competes in all ten events. Only six scores count ten events. Only six scores count towards the final team standing towards the final team standing – The top two Honor scoresThe top two Honor scores– The top two Scholastic scoresThe top two Scholastic scores– The top two Varsity scoresThe top two Varsity scores

Regional, State & National Regional, State & National AwardsAwards

Gold, Silver and Bronze medals are Gold, Silver and Bronze medals are awarded for individual event winners awarded for individual event winners in each division (honors, scholastic, in each division (honors, scholastic, and varsity) and overall total high and varsity) and overall total high scorers.scorers.

The Academic Decathlon The Academic Decathlon TeamTeamA team consists of nine full-time students A team consists of nine full-time students

in grades 9–12 from the same high in grades 9–12 from the same high school. Each team is made up of three school. Each team is made up of three honor students, three scholastic honor students, three scholastic students, and three varsity students:students, and three varsity students:– HonorHonor 3.75 – 4.00 GPA3.75 – 4.00 GPA– ScholasticScholastic3.00 – 3.74 GPA3.00 – 3.74 GPA– VarsityVarsity 0.00 – 2.99 GPA0.00 – 2.99 GPA

How to Form A TeamHow to Form A Team

• Identify a Coach (need good motivator)Identify a Coach (need good motivator)

• Discuss with students the idea of forming Discuss with students the idea of forming a teama team

• Recruit additional teachers to help with Recruit additional teachers to help with other subjectsother subjects

• Recruit your 3 “A”, 3 “B” & 3 “C” studentsRecruit your 3 “A”, 3 “B” & 3 “C” students

• Prepare - Let teachers in the classes that Prepare - Let teachers in the classes that cover Decathlon topics know what you cover Decathlon topics know what you are working onare working on

Team SelectionTeam Selection

• Open up to all students - give tests (USAD scrimmage or Open up to all students - give tests (USAD scrimmage or other) to determine qualified studentsother) to determine qualified students

• Get recommendations from teachers or other studentsGet recommendations from teachers or other students Talk to counselorsTalk to counselors Get leads from other studentsGet leads from other students Survey teachers for names of studentsSurvey teachers for names of students Check test scores, IQ, standardized tests, etc.Check test scores, IQ, standardized tests, etc. Talk to Gifted & Talented CoordinatorsTalk to Gifted & Talented Coordinators Hold general meeting - discuss Hold general meeting - discuss

advantages/disadvantages of AD; determine student’s advantages/disadvantages of AD; determine student’s availability; review course work as it relates to current availability; review course work as it relates to current Study Guide topicsStudy Guide topics

Student Characteristics - intelligent, motivated, Student Characteristics - intelligent, motivated, inquisitive, coachable, peer acceptance, team playerinquisitive, coachable, peer acceptance, team player

Team RecruitmentTeam Recruitment

• Year round effortYear round effort

• Coach is salespersonCoach is salesperson

• Talk it up in your schools and classroomsTalk it up in your schools and classrooms

• Active recruitment may be necessary to secure Active recruitment may be necessary to secure “varsity” level students“varsity” level students

• Be honest with amount of time requiredBe honest with amount of time required

• Be alert to extra-curricular activities (especially jobs)Be alert to extra-curricular activities (especially jobs)

• Balance the team (freshman through seniors)Balance the team (freshman through seniors)

• Test students with last year’s Practice Test or this Test students with last year’s Practice Test or this year’s scrimmage tests from USAD; have students year’s scrimmage tests from USAD; have students write an essay test for writing abilitywrite an essay test for writing ability

Coaches ResponsibilitiesCoaches Responsibilities

• Team RecruitmentTeam Recruitment

• Team SelectionTeam Selection

• Secure Resource Secure Resource MaterialsMaterials

• Staff InvolvementStaff Involvement

• Coaching Coaching

• Team PreparationTeam Preparation

• Register TeamRegister Team

• Verify GPA’sVerify GPA’s

• Make Travel Make Travel Arrangements for Arrangements for Competition(s)Competition(s)

• Communicate with Communicate with State DirectorState Director

• Chaperone TeamChaperone Team

Why Academic Decathlon?Why Academic Decathlon?• Creates a climate on high school campuses, Creates a climate on high school campuses,

supporting and cheering a program devoted to the supporting and cheering a program devoted to the achievement of intellectual strength.achievement of intellectual strength.

• Teachers from various disciplines and experts from Teachers from various disciplines and experts from public and private sectors work together in preparing public and private sectors work together in preparing the team.the team.

• The “C” student – becomes empowered.The “C” student – becomes empowered.

• The “A” and “B” student are given the chance to The “A” and “B” student are given the chance to research and enrich learning.research and enrich learning.

• Music and Art appreciation study come alive.Music and Art appreciation study come alive.

• Encourages public interest and awareness of Encourages public interest and awareness of outstanding programs in American schools.outstanding programs in American schools.

How to get started!How to get started!• Contact Joyce Swenson, state director: 507-389-Contact Joyce Swenson, state director: 507-389-

5107, email: 5107, email: jswenson@mnscs.org, or Elyse , or Elyse Anderson, state coordinator: 507-389-6851, email: Anderson, state coordinator: 507-389-6851, email: eanderson@mnscs.orgeanderson@mnscs.org

• Select a coachSelect a coach• Apply for the first year supply grantApply for the first year supply grant• Use official Use official USAD USAD curriculumcurriculum and visit the SCSC and visit the SCSC

website (website (www.mnscsc.org) for details and/or the ) for details and/or the USAD website @ USAD website @ www.usad.org

• Meet with interested studentsMeet with interested students• Recruit faculty and community co-coachesRecruit faculty and community co-coaches• Select nine or more students for the teamSelect nine or more students for the team• Prepare and practicePrepare and practice• Compete!Compete!

Thank You for taking the time Thank You for taking the time to learn about this incredible to learn about this incredible

academic programacademic program