Indiana high schools to square off at state academic competition
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Approximately 180 students from 20 high schools throughout Indiana will participate in the Indiana Association of School Principals Academic Decathlon Competition at Purdue University Feb 10-11.
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Each student will compete in 10 events, including economics, essay, art, interview, language and literature, math, music, science, social science and speech. Social science also will be the focus of the Super Quiz, which includes both an oral and written test on the Renaissance. The oral relay portion of the Super Quiz, which will take place at 2:30 p.m. Feb. 11 in the Elliott Hall of Music, is the only part of the testing open to the public.
Gerald Mohr, the association's associate executive director, said the students are eager to showcase what they have learned in a variety of subjects.
"Just like a marathon runner logging miles for the big race, the preparation is hard work," Mohr said. "But students have a ball at the Academic Decathlon. The Oral Super Quiz is especially lively with students cheering and giving high-fives."
A unique aspect of the competition is that it includes students from all academic abilities and achievement levels. Each nine-member team consists of three “A” (honor division), three “B” (scholastic division) and three “C or below” (varsity division) students. Each team member competes in all 10 events against other students in their divisions.
"Our goal is to spark an enthusiasm for learning, to promote wholesome inter-school academic competition, and to further develop student communication skills," Mohr said. "In return, students reap the rewards of greater self-knowledge and self-confidence for the future."
Gold, silver and bronze medals are awarded for individual events and total scores. Overall individual winners and champion teams will be recognized at an award ceremony following the Super Quiz. The state champions will compete at the national finals April 26-29 in San Antonio, Texas.
Academic competitions sponsored by the IASP receive financial support through the Purdue Office of Engagement.
Writer: Marydell Forbes, (765) 496-7704, mforbes@purdue.edu
Sources: Kathryn Walters, conference coordinator, (765) 494-2758, kw@purdue.edu
Gerald Mohr, (317) 891-9900, gmohr@iasp.org
Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu
Note to Journalists: The media are invited to cover the oral super quiz, which will take place at 2:30 p.m. Feb. 11 in the Elliott Hall of Music. The award ceremony follows.
PHOTO CAPTION:
Roncalli High School students Michael Parrett, Fatima Patino and Brian Bauman, from left, celebrate a correct answer at the Academic Decathlon competition sponsored by Purdue University in 2004. Students from more than 20 schools throughout Indiana competed in the academic competition, which is one of several contests funded by Purdue and administered by the Indiana Association of School Principals. (Division of Instructional Services file photo/John Underwood.)
A publication-quality file photo is available at http://news.uns.purdue.edu/images/+2004/gentry.decath.jpeg
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