The gifted Olympiad is a one day event, per grade level (3rd/4th, 5th/6th, 7th/8th, High School). It is a fun experience for the students to come together with other students from all of the districts in our region to compete in challenges. They will use problem solving skills, team building exercises and leadership skills to complete tasks that will be assigned to them. Points will be awarded for each problem they are faced with. Awards (plaques and medals) will be given at the end of the day to the top five teams.

The following are examples of the kind of things you can expect, but are not the actual problems to be presented. The level of difficulty will be adjusted according to the age of the participants.

Logic Problems - Examples would be those kinds of word problems commonly called Mind Benders, which can best be solved by using a grid. Exact answers are required.

Estimation/Guesstimation Problems — These are knowledge level questions such as: how much water goes over Niagara Falls in 24 hours, name the second smallest state in the United States, how much does a cubic foot of water weigh, how many tons of coal were mined in Illinois last year.

Construction Problem — Students will be given several sheets of paper and some masking tape and will be required to build a device that will support a heavy weight. These problems require some understanding of the properties of paper. Such as how you can strengthen it by folding, creasing, doubling, or rolling it. Points are awarded based on a formula given at the time the problem is presented.

Math/Science Logic Problems — These are word problems and are best solved by students who have a good understanding of mathematics and science principles using a problem solving approach. Exact answers are required.


*All sponsors are expected to participate in activities or scorekeeping throughout the day. Sponsor assistance during the course of the day is important to help the activities move along smoothly.