Middle School Academic Competitions

Sponsor:
Sara Henry
Academic Specialist

Scripps School Spelling Bee
In January, middle school students have the option to compete in the Scripps School Spelling Bee. The purpose of the Spelling Bee is to help students improve their spelling, increase their vocabulary, learn concepts, and develop correct English usage that will help them all their lives. The school champion advances to the Western PA Spelling Bee.

Calcu-Solve
The Calcu-Solve is a virtual math competition where students earn points for both individual and team problem solving. Students earn an opportunity to participate through a qualifying test. During this event, teams of four students are challenged with math questions.

History Bowl
The History Bowl is held at the Heinz History Center each November. Students work together as a team to complete five different activities within History Center exhibits. Team members are selected by earning the highest scores on the qualifying test.

Math Olympiads
Math Olympiads is a math problem-solving contest using non-routine problems.  Students participate in five monthly contests that introduce important mathematical concepts and strengthen mathematical creativity, ingenuity, and flexibility in problem solving. 

STEM Design Challenge
Teams of students (up to four students in each team) will be given a challenge to solve a real-world problem and demonstrate their solution through designing and building a K’Nex structure.  They will have from December until March to create a blueprint and narrative explaining their unique solution. The winning school-level team will be asked to build it at the competition, held at the Allegheny Intermediate Unit in March. Winning teams advance to the state-level competition.