The Penn State Educational Partnership Program is holding a Scholars Decathlon event for students in grades five and six. The decathlon event is designed to inspire and challenge students with a variety of work that allows them to shine. Each of the tasks and assignments will relate to the theme and encourage students to learn as they go.This year’s theme is "Women Who Changed the World." The event will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 30, at Penn State Greater Allegheny.Teams of five students may register to compete in the PEPP decathlon. Team members do not have to be female and there are no restrictions on achievement levels – anyone in fifth or sixth grade can enter. Each team must have a sponsoring teacher, counselor or coach. Sponsors are welcome to serve more than one team. Any students from schools (or home or cyber school) in Allegheny County may enter the competition. Sponsoring organizations and schools will be eligible for a participation grant of $250 for single teams or $500 for more than one team. If your school or organization wishes to discuss additional funding needs, contact PEPP coordinator Tahirah Walker as soon as possible.The decathlon is a competition in which each team completes 10 tasks or activities for points and the team with the most points wins. The 10 activities are Literature: Book Review and Essay; Visual Arts: Poster Design; Science: Hands-On Demonstration; Technology: Interactive Website Design; Math; Logic; Speech; Spelling Bee; Quiz Bowl; and Panel Interview.Each team will receive guidelines and materials for the first four tasks in advance and will bring in the finished products on game day. Essays, posters, science demonstrations and a link to teams’ websites will be turned in upon arrival on game day. The other six activities will be completed on game day.
The winning team will receive gift cards for popular retail stores, tickets for admission and an Omnimax or laser show at the Carnegie Science Center, dinner and musical in the Pittsburgh Cultural District, and other fun and educational items. All other students will receive a participation bag of treats and gifts. Everyone will be treated to Penn State’s world famous ice cream.To enter the competition, contact Tahirah Walker as soon as possible at tda3@psu.edu.