Summary: Academic contests provide a way to elevate the status of academic achievement in the same way that athletic competition celebrates student athletes. Much of the evidence supporting the creation of a statewide academic competition in Ohio is based on anecdotal evidence from other local, state, and national programs.
United States Academic Decathlon. USAD provides students of all learning levels the opportunity to excel academically through team competition. The Academic Decathlon® is a team competition wherein students match their intellects with students from other schools. Students are tested in ten categories: Art, Economics, Essay, Interview, Language and Literature, Mathematics, Music, Science, Social Science, and Speech. Gold, Silver and Bronze medals are awarded for individual events and total scores. Winning teams advance through the local, regional, and state levels of competition. The state champions compete at the national finals. Currently, about 40 states participate.
Ohio's Academic Decathlon. The Ohio Academic Decathlon is a statewide non-profit organization that promotes an educational experience providing a format in which teams of nine high school students compete in academic events. All Ohio public and private high schools are eligible to compete. The Academic Decathlon embodies a partnership of business, foundations and individuals in cooperation with the education community and county offices of education. The makeup of each of the nine member teams must include three A students, three B students, and three C or below students. Academic Decathletes take 30 minute multiple choice tests in the subjects of Economics, Art, Music, Language and Literature, Mathematics, Science, and Social Science. In addition, each team member gives a planned 4 minute Speech and a 2 minute impromptu Speech, sits through a 7 minute Interview, and has 50 minutes to write an Essay. The only event open to the public is the Super Quiz Oral Relay which deals with either the Science or Social Science topic. The Ohio Academic Decathlon season involves 4 rounds of competition. Winning teams advance through the local, regional, and state levels of competition. The state champions compete at the national finals in late April.
Kentucky Academic Association Governor's Cup Competition. Information about this and other Kentucky academic events.
ThinkQuest Internet Contest. Annual contest that challenges students, ages 12 to 19, to use the Internet as a collaborative, interactive, teaching and learning tool.
National History Day. Academic program for students, grades 6 through 12.
Kids Philosophy Slam. Contest designed for kids of all ages and abilities.
High-Five Challenge. Weekly TV show featuring high school teams competing in a quiz show format for prizes and recognition.
National Academic League. Nonprofit organization promotes education and teamwork through competitions to middle and high school students.
National Geography Bee. Nationwide contest for schools with any grades four through eight.
Oklahoma Association for Academic Competition. Coordinates and publicizes many of the state's academic competitions.
SCORES - Marshall University. Annual academic festival and contest celebrating academic excellence among high school students.
Blue Hen Invitational (BHI). Annual high school academic tournament hosted by the Academic Competition Club at the University of Delaware.
Let's Get Real. Academic competition for all students in grades 6-12 in the USA.
Rutgers Academic Challenge. A series of statewide interscholastic tournaments for New Jersey's high school students.
Vermont-NEA Scholars Bowl. Academic competition for high school teams.
"Academic Olympics: A Golden Educational Tool"
"Academic Olympics to Inspire Future Generations of Scientists"