Program Blog

For Coaches and Teachers, For Hosts and Facilitators, For Parents

It Takes a Village…

Alison Weaverdyck

Yes, US Academic Triathlon is a program for middle-school students, but it wouldn’t be possible without dedicated teachers and parents who volunteer their time so their students can learn and grow.

There are a few ways to manage a USAT program at your school – if you plan to have more than one team, a Head Coach/Program Coordinator is recommended. Most importantly, this person manages registration and liaises with the national office, while ensuring the school’s program is run with fair play, civility, and good sportsmanship. The head coach can then recruit additional coaches to help with team practices and help staff Meets (each team is required to provide two experienced coaches/parents for each Meet to help the competition run smoothly).

Who makes a good USAT coach or volunteer? Anyone 16 or older (yes, high school students can help coach teams – and often former USAT competitors make the best volunteers!) who is dedicated to helping students gain leadership, creativity, and out-of-the-box thinking skills.

While specific details regarding coach duties can be found in the Program Manual and our Coaching a Team page, there a few MUST’s USAT requires of its coaches:

  1. Coaches must set high standards of sportsmanship and fairness during and surrounding competitions. Students look to you as examples – show them what it means to be a leader and a good teammate.
  2. Coaches must reward good ideas and positive attitudes as they see them displayed by students of all participating schools (speaking specifically when at Meets). USAT isn’t ultimately about being “the best,” but growing as an individual. Encourage and reward any student when you see them exemplifying this ideal.

Parents, guardians, teachers, older siblings, high school volunteers, college students, and grandparents – anyone willing to give their time to the growth and education of a student can be a USAT volunteer coach. Our students – and our staff – appreciate your time and efforts!

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10 Types of Students who Benefit from USAT

Alison Weaverdyck

Maybe you’re a parent who is wondering if USAT is right for your child, or you’re a teacher who is thinking about recruiting students but you’re having trouble deciding who to ask. US Academic Triathlon is all about fostering curiosity and creativity in the next generation of leaders, and we offer a broad range of opportunities for students to flex their creative problem-solving and practice the skills they will need for future success both inside and outside of the classroom.

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Students will benefit from USAT if they…

  1. …don’t get enough of a chance to be creative in their everyday lives.
    • Tablets, cell phones, televisions, video games, homework, chores, sports—these are all competing for the attention of today’s student. At a USAT Meet, kids get a chance to set aside time to focus on stretching themselves creatively free of these sorts of distractions.
  2. …feel shy in a large classroom setting.
    • Schools don’t always have the resources to keep their class sizes small, and sometimes the kids who don’t speak up don’t get a chance to shine. USAT teams are small for a reason; we want every voice to be heard and every idea considered.usat_picks9
  3. …work well with others.
    • Each Meet is a competition, but we also create challenges that emphasize and reward teams who work well together. Our events are timed and every second counts!
  4. …don’t work well with others.
    • Whether it is in school or at work, sooner or later we all have to work in a group. USAT creates a supportive and positive risk-taking environment to help students figure out how to navigate group work, share responsibility, parse out responsibilities, and play to the strengths of each team member.
  5. …like to perform and excel at public speaking.
    • USAT teams are guaranteed at least four chances to compete each season (and a fifth if they go on to State in the spring), which means four chances to perform in front of an audience. Students who love to sing, do cart wheels, bust a move, or show off some other sort of special skill will love the opportunity to stand up and be counted during A.R.T.Y. in a Box challenges!
  6. …would benefit from a chance to practice their public speaking skills.
    • We can’t all be born for the stage, so students who aren’t already strong communicators get a chance to practice. The skits at the end of every Meet aren’t the only chance for students to speak up. Face-Off! and Mind Sprints offer a chance to share knowledge and ideas, especially if they are outside the box.img_8672
  7. …enjoy building things.
    • Do you know someone who can make a knight out of plastic cups? A witch out of a paper bag? Got a student in your life that can visualize how things fit together and enjoys figuring out how things work? They’ll love this program!
  8. …have good reading comprehension and listening skills.
    • Classes might have names like “Social Studies” or “Earth Sciences,” but students learn a lot more during formal and informal educational situations than just information about the three branches of government or types of rocks. USAT asks team members to think critically about actions and reactions, and kids who can interpret what they hear or read will enjoy solving our puzzles.
  9. img_8671…have difficulty following instructions.
    • Being able to understand a worksheet or follow the instructions a teacher gives for a lab is vital for students to succeed, but it doesn’t necessarily come easily to everyone. The competitive nature of USAT gives students a fun incentive to gain as many points as possible by paying close attention, thinking about what they hear, and asking the right questions to aid comprehension.
  10. …are good at telling stories.
    • Humans are story-tellers, it’s in our blood. We learn and share through narratives all the time, and USAT is no exception. We challenge students to express their views and solutions through stories and approach the art of problem-solving from a new but accessible angle.

 

Learn more about bringing USAT to your school

Check out the season dates

Find out more about the three events that make up a Meet

 

 

 

For Coaches and Teachers, For Parents

Strengths and Benefits of US Academic Triathlon

Alison Weaverdyck

Convincing district or school officials to add another extracurricular activity – and another budget line item – can be difficult. However, US Academic Triathlon takes a different approach to academic extracurriculars, working to prepare students in grades 5 through 8 to be successful in their next stage of education and the rest of their lives. Five-student teams must display good sportsmanship and teamwork while exhibiting the outcomes of their creativity and positive risk-taking.

img_8673USAT is a creative thinking skills program that employs a competition to teach and reward creative, divergent thought processes, cooperative brainstorming, general intellect, leadership, and a flare for the dramatic – all while providing an entertaining, user-friendly format for both students and adults.

Anyone who has enthusiasm for building things, writing plays, solving puzzles, answering trivia questions, or thinking on their feet will love USAT. The program offers a wide range of problem-solving situations across several disciplines in order to find something to interest and stimulate every learner.

Students of all ability levels are welcome, and the program is designed to promote contributions by every team member, making the strongest teams the ones with members who have a wide range of strengths and knowledge. One student may be great at drawing backdrops while someone else is good at complex math problems, and they all can find a home in US Academic Triathlon.

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Anything can be a costume with a pair of scissors and some imagination!

The season includes three Round Robin Meets, a Regional Meet, and the opportunity to compete at the State Meet. Each Meet is comprised of an oral and a written round of Face-Off!, three Mind Sprints, and a P.A.R.T.Y. in a Box presentation. During Face-Off!, students are challenged to recall age-appropriate facts and knowledge in the categories of math and music theory, English usage and literature, science, social studies, and current events or “Kidsumerism.” Mind Sprint puzzles challenge and yield quick, creative solutions that require divergent thinking skills, visual problem-solving, logic, construction, and team cooperation.

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In Preparation And Re-enactment Theater is Yours (P.A.R.T.Y.) – In a Box!, teams receive a problem in the form of a theatrical scenario, and equipment to create props, costumes, and a backdrop with which to demonstrate their solution. Students practice good sportsmanship and theater etiquette while watching others, and learn performance and public speaking during their own skits. USAT gives students a chance to practice their presentation skills in a safe environment that is less high-pressure than a class presentation or an audition.

The real product of USAT competition is personal growth. Students learn to think outside the box, to find ways to apply creative solutions to real world problems, and have educational experiences that last a lifetime. These “triathletes” have to take positive risks and approach each new problem with creativity and a sense of humor. This is done within a supportive environment, so any stumbling block can turn into a success and a chance to build confidence in their academic and problem-solving abilities. Students learn so much by stretching themselves and by taking a chance but USAT also builds “safety nets” into events so even if one member of the team is stuck, they can ask their teammates for help or find a creative way to tackle each Meet challenge. And because USAT is a competition, students also learn that sometimes they aren’t going to come in first place; but only through these kinds of experiences can children become poised and balanced adults.C023 - Valley ViewThe final, lasting experience of USAT is to overcome not the people, but the problems. Teams grow to realize that:

1.Each idea is only one of many that occurs to the human mind;

2. Each student brings to the team individual strengths that can be built upon;

3. Flexibility opens doors to new possibilities;

4. Positive risk-taking in an atmosphere of acceptance yields experiential learning and great memories; and

5. Students are able to handle the curves that life throws them – especially if they approach each problem with a sense of humor and a sense of their own self-worth.

The pursuit of new and creative solutions can result in failure, but this does not negate the journey. Oftentimes these “failures” turn out to be successes – they are simply the answer to a different question. This type of experience encourages students to think constructively and creatively, and reinforces a sense that their ideas matter. As students process out of their USAT season, they will become aware that AT really stands for “Able Thinkers.”

 

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Bring USAT to Your School in 6 Easy Steps

Alison Weaverdyck

Are you a teacher looking to offer a new activity at your school? A parent looking for an outlet for your creative and active student? US Academic Triathlon is a fun, challenging, and creative extracurricular activity for middle school students. Here are 5 easy steps to get started:

  1. Attain the support and affiliation of a school or school district.

While independent teams have been known to compete, most find it easier to be aligned with a school or district in order to share resources. Teachers often become coaches to offer extracurricular activities to their students – but that doesn’t mean a coach has to be a teacher. Parents and volunteers at least 16 or older are welcome to coach! Reach out to your student’s teacher, the school’s activity director, or the principal’s office for information on starting a new extracurricular activity at your school.

Each team must be willing and able to host at least one meet during the season, should it be needed. To host a meet, you will need to borrow space – ideally a local school – with at least 7 rooms, one of which needs to be large enough for PARTY presentations and an audience. If teams can have a place to practice similar to meet locations it’s also a plus.

Check out our blog post on September 29 for tips on how to talk with your school or district about offering USAT.

  1. Determine how to pay the registration fee of $225 per team.

Will the school or district pay the fee? Will the participation fee be passed on to the student? When broken down among a 5-student team, USAT is an investment of $11.25 per student per competition (excluding the opportunity to attend the State competition, which incurs a $50 registration fee per team).

  1. Recruit at least 4, but ideally 6 students.

A full team has 5 students. Teams of 4 students can still be competitive, and teams of 6 allow for one alternate in case a team member unable to compete during the scheduled meet. Students must be in grades 5 through 8; the Challenger division is for grades 5 and 6 while the Cross Trainer division is for grades 7 and 8. Teams compete in the division of their oldest student. For example, a team made up of four 5th graders and one 8th grader will compete in the Cross Trainer division, which is more difficult.

  1. Register with US Academic Triathlon.

Registration materials will be available Oct. 1. Registration is due by Nov. 4. Team fees are due by Dec. 2.

  1. Practice with your team.

Use these samples or the practice materials and tips found on our blog to hold some practices.

  1. Attend your first meet with your team!

If you have further questions about starting a team, view our FAQ or Coaching a Team pages, or call our office at 507-645-2560.

We’re excited to have you as part of USAT this year!

Announcements, For Coaches and Teachers, For Hosts and Facilitators

State 2016 Information

Alison Weaverdyck

Thank you to all 2015-16 teams for a great regular season! You worked hard through three Round Robins and Regionals and you should be commended.

Congratulations to all teams who qualified for the State Meet! We look forward to seeing you on April 16! Here are a few important details to get ready for State.

U.S. Academic Triathlon State Tournament is April 16, 2016 at Cottage Grove Middle School, 9775 Indian Blvd S, Cottage Grove, MN 55016. State Host/Facilitators (to be chosen by USAT) will meet at 10 a.m., and all coaches will meet at 10:45 a.m. During this time, students will have team picture taken. The State Meet will officially begin with teams registering at 11:45 a.m. then go off to compete. P.A.R.T.Y. in a Box presentations will begin around 2:45 p.m., and the awards ceremony will take place around 4:30 p.m. to wrap up the day around 5 p.m. (all times after registration are approximate and subject to change).

Deadline to register for the State Tournament is April 1, 2016. [NOTE: If we haven’t heard from you by 11:59 p.m. on April 1, you will forfeit your place and we will open it up to the second place team at Regionals. Don’t delay!] A $50 tournament registration fee is due April 8, 2016. Check the website after April 6, 2016 for Tournament Information.

Submit your registration form (which was given to you at your Regional Meet) by scanning and emailing it to Executive Director Sarah Sheldon at sarah@usacademictriathlon.com then mail it with the registration fee to U.S. Academic Triathlon, 2355 Fairview Ave N #335, Roseville, MN 55113. If you have misplaced your form, contact Sarah Sheldon for a copy.

Each team must bring two Volunteer Facilitators, at least 16 years of age or older. Volunteer Facilitators must have a working knowledge of USAT and its Program Manual (which can be found at usacademictriathlon.com) and have helped at a Meet previously. Volunteer Facilitators will work in either of the State Meets in which their team is not competing. They will, however, be finished in time to see their team’s P.A.R.T.Y. in a Box presentation and not have to judge any of the skits.

You will find complete information about the State Tournament at http://www.usacademictriathlon.com after April 6. If you have registration questions, please contact Sarah Sheldon at 507-645-2560 or sarah@usacademictriathlon.com.

Congrats and good luck!

– the US Academic Triathlon team