Interscholastic Contest

Agriculture

The Agriculture exam will include the following general agriculture subject areas: animal science, agronomy, forestry, nutrition, dairy and meats, genetics and reproduction, agricultural management, agricultural mechanics and electricity, and agricultural economics. The exam will consist of multiple choice and true/false questions. Students may bring their own non-graphing calculator; however, the sharing of calculators is not permitted, nor is using the computer’s calculator.

Algebra

Problems will be multiple-choice and include simplifying algebraic expressions as well as solving algebraic equations/systems of all types. Some problems may be application problems. Scratch paper will be provided. No calculators are allowed for this test.

Bookkeeping and Accounting

This exam includes comprehensive coverage of high school bookkeeping and accounting. Topics will be as follows: journalizing, posting, trial balance, the bookkeeping cycle, financial statements, adjusting entries, closing entries, and related terminology. Students should be enrolled in or have completed Bookkeeping I.

English

The English test will focus on the basic elements of composition: grammar, punctuation, mechanics, and sentence clarity.

European History

This exam covers the period of European History from 1700 to the present. It incorporates social, political, and economic topics.

Health Occupations

The Health Occupations exam will include the following subject areas in a multiple-choice test format: Math, medical terminology, anatomy, nutrition, and skills for a nursing assistant including CPR, communication and skills for a nursing assistant.

Literature

The literature test will focus on works from both American and British literature. Students who have read widely from these two areas will likely be most successful.

Physical Science

The exam will cover concepts and calculations relating to physics and chemistry. A periodic table will be provided. Students may bring their own non-graphing calculator; however, the sharing of calculators is not permitted, nor is using the computer’s calculator.

Psychology/Sociology

This exam will consist of questions from the fields of Psychology and Sociology, as would have been discussed in a high school level psychology/sociology class.

Public Speaking

Round I 9:30-10:20
Round II 10:30-11:20 depending on the number of entrants.

The entrant should deliver an informative speech, 3-5 minutes in length, incorporating a visual aid or some form of electronic presentation support. Each speaker will be judged on speech content and delivery skills. Hints: Speech introduction gets attention, relates the material to the audience, establishes the credibility of the speaker, reveals the subject and previews the content of the speech. The body of the speech should have two to more main points that are easy to identify, is well organized, developed and supported with cited evidence. The conclusion should restate the central idea or main points and have a memorable closing statement. Visual aids can be charts, diagrams or objects. Rooms are equipped with computers and large screen televisions or projectors. Contestants with electronic presentations (e.g. PowerPoint Slides or Prezi) should bring them on a flash drive to run them directly if possible. If contestants are running them from the cloud, they should come early to establish their link and connect before competition begins. (We should not have to sit and wait on contestants to get their presentation up.) All speakers are encouraged to come early and load and test their presentation before speaking begins. Timekeepers will be provided when possible. Please note: There is not a final round to this competition. Results will be tabulated on rank and rating of all speakers. The overall first, second, and third places will be awarded.

American Government

This exam may include a combination of short answer questions and/or essay questions, and/or multiple-choice questions drawn from the following topics: The period dating from the Declaration of Independence through the Grand Convention of 1787; the executive branch including the current role of the media and interest groups; the role of the legislative branch including the current tension between the legislative and executive branches over the exercise of Constitutional powers, such as war; the judicial branch including landmark decisions effecting judicial jurisdiction such as Bush v. Gore; the current growth and function of the bureaucracy in U.S. Government; taxing and budgeting, including the current debate in government over the utility of Supply Side and Keynesian economic policy; the changing role of the U.S. in the world, including the impact of the events of September 11, 2001; the effects of globalism on the U.S. and other foreign policy issues; the changing relationship between the federal government and the states and its impact on Missouri government.

American History

This exam covers the period of American History from the pre-Columbian era to the present. It incorporates social, political, and economic topics.

Biological Sciences

The test in Biological Sciences will consist of questions about topics normally encountered in a comprehensive general biology course, namely cell biology, genetics, ecology, systematics, anatomy, physiology, evolution, development, reproduction and behavior.

Computer Technology

The test will ask questions from the following areas: computer concepts, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Access, OLE using Word/Excel/Access, Internet, HTML, and computer programming concepts.

Flash Fiction

The flash fiction contest will require students to produce a very short story in response to a prompt (a photo or painting) provided on the day of the contest. This story must be original, suggest an engaging theme, be told in the writer’s unique voice, and exhibit expressive language. It should also be organized and provide exposition, rising action, climax, and some falling action or resolution. The writer should also demonstrate knowledge and creative use of punctuation, grammar, sentence structure, and word choice. Students will be provided paper and pencils, but they are encouraged to bring their favorite writing pen or pencil. The overall first, second, and third places will be awarded.

Geography

The Geography test is composed of questions pertaining to various realms and regions of the developed world and underdeveloped world. The test questions address information about human geography, physical geography and place locations around the world. One essay question will be scored in the event of a tie.

Geometry

Problems are drawn from geometry including trigonometry. Exact answers are required. Some problems are application problems. The problems are not multiple choice; scrap paper will be provided. Non-graphing calculators may be used on the test. Sharing calculators between participants is not permitted.

Philosophy and Religious Studies

The test in Philosophy and Religious Studies will consist of questions about topics normally encountered in introductory courses in Philosophy, World Religions, and Ethics, namely moral frameworks, metaphysics, epistemology, notable philosophers, and cultures, histories, and traditions of major Eastern and Abrahamic religions.

Poetry

The poetry contest will require students to produce a short poem in response to a prompt (a photo or painting) provided on the day of the contest. This poem must be the original work of the student. It can be any form, but it cannot exceed twenty lines. Since there are so many forms and styles of poetry, and so many measures of poetry, a grading rubric cannot be provided. The best measure of a poem is how well it accomplishes what it attempts to accomplish. Students will be provided paper and pencils, but they are encouraged to bring their favorite writing pen or pencil. The overall first, second, and third places will be awarded.

Public Speaking 10:30 - 11:20 a.m. (Second Session)

Depending on the number of participants. See 9:30 section description.