Awesome Aquifers
for Science Olympiad
What is Science Olympiad?
Science Olympiad is a nonprofit organization devoted to improving the quality of science education, increasing student interest in science and providing recognition for outstanding achievement in science education by both students and teachers. These goals are accomplished through classroom activities, research, training workshops and the encouragement of intramural, district, regional, state and national tournaments.
Science Olympiad tournaments are academic competitions that consist of a series of individual and team events which students prepare for during the school year. These competitions are balanced among the various science disciplines of biology, earth science, chemistry, physics, computers and technology. Learn more about Science Olympiad at http://soinc.org.
What is Awesome Aquifers?
Awesome Aquifers is one of the Science Olympiad events. It is designed to increase middle school students' understanding of groundwater concepts. It provides hands-on, experience-based groundwater education to students who participate in Science Olympiad tournaments.
Prior to the tournaments, students learn about groundwater and practice building model aquifers. During the competition, students build aquifers and demonstrate:
- an understanding groundwater in the hydrologic cycle
- the physical makeup of an aquifer
- changes to the groundwater system
Students also take written tests covering their knowledge of groundwater basics and vocabulary, their abilities to apply what they've learned, and their abilities to use scientific references.
The Awesome Aquifers event is written and monitored by The Groundwater Foundation with support from the US Geological Survey.
2012 Science Olympiad National Tournament
Awesome Aquifers (Division B): Each of the two students on the winning Awesome Aquifers team will receive a $1,000 scholarship to the college of their choice, redeemable upon graduation from high school. Representatives from Senninger Irrigation and Rin Bird will give this award on stage at the closing ceremony.
Awesome Aquifers (AAB) Links
Getting Started
- Get all the supplies and model building instructions when you purchase the Awesome Aquifer Training Kit from the online catalog, or collect your own supplies
- Watch the GO FOR THE GOLD! motivational video
- View the Photo Album to see examples of outstanding models
It's all in the rules
- Download Official Science Olympiad Competition Rules
- Download a sample Score Sheet (PDF)
- Testing Station #2: Download Sample Diagrams and Visual Aids
Helpful Information for Students
- Study Guide and How To Get Started
- Parents and coaches: order your team an Awesome Aquifer Kit or the JUG: Just Understanding Groundwater modeling kit
- Website Links for Additional Research
- Testing Station #2: Sample Diagrams and Visual Aids
Ideas for Event Supervisors, Judges, and Volunteers
- Awesome Aquifers: GO FOR THE GOLD! video
- Event Guide: How to run an AAB competition
National Education Standards
This activity meets the following educational standards
- SCIENCE: K-4.1, K-4.2, K-4.3, K-4.4, K-4.5, K-4.6, 5-8.1, 5-8.3, 5-8.4, 5-8.5, 5-8.6, 9-12.1, 9-12.3, 9-12.5, 9-12.6
- MATHEMATICS: PK-2.1, PK-2.2, PK-2.3, 6-8.1
