Nebraska Academic Nebraska Academic Decathlon ProgramDecathlon Program

USAD Mission StatementUSAD Mission Statement

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

What is Academic What is Academic Decathlon?Decathlon?

• The premier scholastic competition in The premier scholastic competition in America – building “life skills” in America – building “life skills” in students:students:– TeamworkTeamwork– CompetitivenessCompetitiveness– Communication – written and oralCommunication – written and oral– Research and life-long learning Research and life-long learning

The History of Academic The History of Academic DecathlonDecathlon

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

History of Nebraska Program –History of Nebraska Program –The BeginningThe Beginning

After the decathlon became a nationalAfter the decathlon became a national

event, Nebraska became involved in 1983event, Nebraska became involved in 1983

when the Talented & Gifted Program of when the Talented & Gifted Program of

Omaha Schools(OPS) ran the program for Omaha Schools(OPS) ran the program for

its seven schools. After 3 years, OPSits seven schools. After 3 years, OPS

decided it did not want to run a statewidedecided it did not want to run a statewide

program. A new sponsor was needed.program. A new sponsor was needed.

The New Sponsor-Optimist The New Sponsor-Optimist Clubs of Clubs of NebraskaNebraskaAfter several educationally-based organizationsAfter several educationally-based organizations

with a statewide mission refused to sponsor thewith a statewide mission refused to sponsor the

program, the Optimist Clubs agreed to handle theprogram, the Optimist Clubs agreed to handle the

task and convinced UNO to join them in a co-task and convinced UNO to join them in a co-

sponsorship role. In 1995, Creighton Universitysponsorship role. In 1995, Creighton University

joined the program as a co-sponsor. In 2000,joined the program as a co-sponsor. In 2000,

Creighton became the sole academic co-sponsor.Creighton became the sole academic co-sponsor.

The Birth of the Operating The Birth of the Operating CompanyCompany

In order to operate the program, a non-profitIn order to operate the program, a non-profit

corporation(Nebraska Academic Decathlon, Inc)corporation(Nebraska Academic Decathlon, Inc)

was formed. No member of this company receiveswas formed. No member of this company receives

a salary and the total work is on a voluntary basis.a salary and the total work is on a voluntary basis.

Of the 40 state programs, Nebraska is the onlyOf the 40 state programs, Nebraska is the only

one where an all-volunteer force runs the program one where an all-volunteer force runs the program

without any state funds.without any state funds.

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.

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 *Music*Music

*Language & Literature*Language & Literature *Mathematics*Mathematics

*Science*Science *Interview*Interview *Social Science*Social Science

*Speech (both prepared and impromptu)*Speech (both prepared and impromptu)

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, Language & Literature, Economics, Language & Literature, Math, Music, Science, and Super QuizMath, Music, Science, and Super Quiz

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

Multiple Choice ExamsMultiple Choice Exams

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

• Math exam has 25 questions.Math exam has 25 questions.

• Super Quiz has 10 questions per round. Super Quiz has 10 questions per round.

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

• Comprised of three rounds – Comprised of three rounds – – Two students from each competitive level Two students from each competitive level (Honor, Scholastic, Varsity) answer ten(Honor, Scholastic, Varsity) answer ten

questions. The rounds start with the Varsityquestions. The rounds start with the Varsity students.students.

• Test items are derived from the Super Test items are derived from the Super Quiz Resource Guide – This year’s topic – Quiz Resource Guide – This year’s topic – TheThe

Civil War.Civil War.

2007-08 Super Quiz Topic2007-08 Super Quiz Topic

The Super Quiz topic will focus on curriculumThe Super Quiz topic will focus on curriculum

which examines various aspects of the Civil War. which examines various aspects of the Civil War.

The resource guide will include readings on suchThe resource guide will include readings on such

topics as causes of the war, critical battles andtopics as causes of the war, critical battles and

campaigns, the leadership of President Lincoln,campaigns, the leadership of President Lincoln,

the role of slavery, the Emancipation Proclamation, the role of slavery, the Emancipation Proclamation,

and Reconstruction. and Reconstruction.

Language & LiteratureLanguage & Literature

The language and literature The language and literature curriculum will include critical curriculum will include critical reading, one novel and six shorter reading, one novel and six shorter works. The featured novel will be works. The featured novel will be

The Red Badge of Courage The Red Badge of Courage by Stephen by Stephen Crane.Crane.

ArtArt

The art curriculum topic will be the art of nineteen-The art curriculum topic will be the art of nineteen-

century America, and the curriculum will include thecentury America, and the curriculum will include the

study of eighteen selected artworks. The selectedstudy of eighteen selected artworks. The selected

artworks are located in many locations: Nationalartworks are located in many locations: National

Gallery of Art, Smithsonian American Art Museum,Gallery of Art, Smithsonian American Art Museum,

National Portrait Museum, Metropolitan Museum of National Portrait Museum, Metropolitan Museum of

Art, and National Museum of American History. Art, and National Museum of American History.

MusicMusic

The music curriculum will focus on the music of The music curriculum will focus on the music of the the

Civil War era. The Civil War era. The Music Resource GuideMusic Resource Guide will cover will cover

such topics as public performances and privatesuch topics as public performances and private

amusements, music in African-American life, andamusements, music in African-American life, and

music of the conflict. The curriculum will include music of the conflict. The curriculum will include

a companion CD, featuring fourteen listeninga companion CD, featuring fourteen listening

selections.selections.

ScienceScience

The science curriculum will focus on theThe science curriculum will focus on the

transmission, treatment, and preventiontransmission, treatment, and prevention

of infectious diseases. The Science of infectious diseases. The Science

Resource Guide will include a case studyResource Guide will include a case study

on disease and the Civil War. on disease and the Civil War.

EconomicsEconomics

The economics curriculum will focus on The economics curriculum will focus on fundamentals fundamentals

of economics, including general topics in macro-of economics, including general topics in macro-

economics, microeconomics, international trade and economics, microeconomics, international trade and

global economic development. The economicglobal economic development. The economic

curriculum will also include a thematic sectioncurriculum will also include a thematic section

focused on slavery and the economics of the U. S.focused on slavery and the economics of the U. S.

Civil War.Civil War.

MathMath

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

Levels of CompetitionLevels of Competition

• Local scrimmages (November and Local scrimmages (November and December)December)

• Regional (Third Saturday in January) at Regional (Third Saturday in January) at various locations across the state.various locations across the state.• State (Third full weekend in February) at State (Third full weekend in February) at

Creighton University in Omaha.Creighton University in Omaha.• Nationals (Garden Grove, California) in Nationals (Garden Grove, California) in AprilApril

AwardsAwards

• Participation RibbonParticipation Ribbon

• Year BarYear Bar

• MedalsMedals

• PlaquesPlaques

• TrophiesTrophies

• ScholarshipsScholarships

National Competition – AprilNational Competition – April

• Student compete in all ten eventsStudent compete in all ten events

• One team per state advances to One team per state advances to NationalsNationals

• Teams compete with 40 other states Teams compete with 40 other states (three divisions – schools are placed (three divisions – schools are placed in a division according to their school in a division according to their school population)population)

Regional CompetitionsRegional Competitions

At this level, schools of similar size compete against eachAt this level, schools of similar size compete against eachother. There are four size categories in Nebraska(Large,other. There are four size categories in Nebraska(Large,Medium, Small, and Very Small). A Regular TeamMedium, Small, and Very Small). A Regular Teamcomposed of six members (two students from eachcomposed of six members (two students from eachcompetitive level) and an Alternative Team of up to six competitive level) and an Alternative Team of up to six members (two students from each competitive level) canmembers (two students from each competitive level) canparticipate. Regular Team members participate in all participate. Regular Team members participate in all seven events and the Alternate Team members seven events and the Alternate Team members

participate participate in six events. At this level, the Essay, Interview, and in six events. At this level, the Essay, Interview, and Speech events are not held. Speech events are not held.

Regional & State AwardsRegional & State Awards

Gold, Silver and Bronze medals are Gold, Silver and Bronze medals are awarded for individual event winners in awarded for individual event winners in each division (Honor, Scholastic, and each division (Honor, Scholastic, and Varsity). All Regular Team members of Varsity). All Regular Team members of

the first, second, and third placed teamsthe first, second, and third placed teams

at the Regional and the two divisions at at the Regional and the two divisions at

the State Final earn a scholarship.the State Final earn a scholarship.

The TeamThe Team

The Regular Team consists of six full-time The Regular Team consists of six full-time students from 9students from 9thth – 12 – 12thth grades of the same grades of the same high school. Each team is made up of two high school. Each team is made up of two students from each competitive level. Each students from each competitive level. Each school is encouraged to have an Alternate school is encouraged to have an Alternate Team of sixTeam of six

students. The GPA standards are:students. The GPA standards are:– HonorHonor 3.75 – 4.00 GPA3.75 – 4.00 GPA– ScholasticScholastic 3.00 – 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 a Discuss with students the idea of forming a teamteam

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

• Recruit your students at all competitive Recruit your students at all competitive levelslevels

• Prepare - Let teachers in the classes that Prepare - Let teachers in the classes that cover Decathlon topics know what you are cover Decathlon topics know what you are working onworking 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 advantages/disadvantages Hold general meeting - discuss advantages/disadvantages

of AD; determine student’s availability; review course of AD; determine student’s availability; review course work as it relates to current Study Guide topics.work as it relates to current Study Guide topics.

Student Characteristics - intelligence, brain power, Student Characteristics - intelligence, brain power, motivation (desire), coachability, peer acceptance, team motivation (desire), coachability, peer acceptance, team player.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 which Creates a climate on high school campuses which

supports and cheers a program devoted to the supports and cheers 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” students are given the chance to The “A” and “B” students 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 John R. Anstey, Ph.D., Volunteer Executive Contact John R. Anstey, Ph.D., Volunteer Executive Director of the Nebraska Academic Decathlon Director of the Nebraska Academic Decathlon Program – call 402-498-0798 or email at: Program – call 402-498-0798 or email at: jranstey@aol.comjranstey@aol.com

• Contact USAD at: 866.511.8723 or 712.366.3700Contact USAD at: 866.511.8723 or 712.366.3700• Select a coachSelect a coach• Use the Use the official official Study GuideStudy Guide and visit the and visit the USADUSAD

website @ website @ www.usad.orgwww.usad.org • Meet with interested studentsMeet with interested students• Begin research according to the Begin research according to the Study GuideStudy Guide

outlinesoutlines• Recruit faculty and community co-coachesRecruit faculty and community co-coaches• Select students for the teamSelect 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