Informal STEM education experiences can be invaluable to students as a means of developing their future career goals and career interests. Extracurricular programs in the form of clubs, competitions, teams, and activities provide a platform for these informal education experiences. There are many STEM-focused extracurricular options for students,…

Academic competitions are discussed as a means of motivating underachieving gifted students. Particularly recommended is the U.S. Academic Decathlon which forms teams based on grade point averages. Two case studies illustrate the program's value. The paper also considers the program's benefits for high achieving students and the role of team…

Summarized are the contests, schedules, entertainment, and planning involved in this activity. Sample topics and questions for the events are provided. Costs, personnel, and time required to put on the event are discussed. (CW)

Reviewed is the disappointing performance of the U.S. team at the 1989 International Chemistry Olympiad. Reasons for this performance and a description of the U.S. team are presented. (CW)

This document is designed to give teachers some ideas for classroom and school History Day activities. Available ERIC resources about National History Day are listed and a five-point plan to establish a school History Day is provided. Successful approaches to implementing History Day, from actual teachers' experiences, are detailed. A step-by-step…

Mathematics competitions are a popular extracurricular activity for students at all grade levels. This booklet outlines some of the logistical and structural issues that competition organizers, administrators, coaches, and question writers face when they incorporate calculators into their competitions. Main topics included are: (1) "Decisions…

This document comprises the materials used in the administration of the fifth annual Oswego County (New York) storytelling contest for students in grades 3-8. The District Liaison's Packet contains copies of all materials used, including contest guidelines; a contest timetable; judging criteria; hints on storytelling; a bibliography; checklists…

Maintains that from kindergarten throught grade 12 students are bombarded by contests. Asserts that art teachers are asked to juggle learning objectives to meet criteria of the most recent contests. Provides recommendations for art teachers faced with decisions about participation in contests and other competitive programs. (CFR)

This book lists and describes opportunities for teenagers to participate in organized science and math activities within and without the classroom. Students may participate at the local or school level by joining clubs and interest groups and by entering fairs; at the national level, by entering competitions of various sorts; and at the…

Science fairs are held in many elementary, junior high, and high schools. Typically they are thought of as a competitive event where students display science projects. Publications occasionally print accounts of successful science fairs, but these articles are usually based on opinions rather than on research. The purpose of this study is to…

This document was developed with the intention of increasing California public school students' awareness of and participation in science-related enrichment activities. Some of the activities are intended for participation by individuals, while others are meant for teams of students. These annual events are listed in chronological order for a…

Contends that an obsession for competition has permeated all aspects of society, including the artistic environment. Maintains that competition works against creativity and individual development. Recommends eliminating music contests and other competitive practices at the school and college levels. (CFR)

This handbook contains directions for FHA/HERO (Future Homemakers of America/Home Economics Related Occupations) participation activities in Montana. Participation activities are local, state, and national level competitions involving students in vocational home economics programs. The handbook provides a general overview of participation…

This handbook combines in a single publication several sets of guidelines for separate competitive events sponsored by the Virginia Association of the Distributive Education Clubs of America (VA DECA). The handbook is organized to promote understanding of the relationships between the competitive events held on the national level and those…