Japan Joining Science Olympiad?

[Kokonilly]

Hey everyone, I recently was at the National Science Olympiad in Wisconsin, and heard an announcement that there were ambassadors from Japan that came to watch the competition, because they were interested in starting a Science Olympiad in Japan. I did see them around the area taking pictures...

Does anyone know anything about this?

There has been interest from Japan since 2009 when Dr. Putz visited Tokyo and gave some presentations. There is a new science competition they are starting up called Kagaku-No Koshien (anyone know Japanese and able to provide a translation?). There was a delegation of 4 members of the Japan Science and Technology Agency that you saw at Nationals. Next year they will send a "Science Olympiad Global Ambassador' team that will only compete in the Trial events.

Oh wow, that's really cool. Good to know that Science Olympiad's going beyond North America. I wonder how they'll do!

[foreverphysics]

I think that Japan coming here will be the worst thing that could happen. Because everything will be unfair in so many ways. Asia's standard of education is so much higher than the US' it's not even funny. In China, sixth graders, and I repeat, SIXTH GRADERS are REQUIRED to take PHYSICS. Which in the US is a tenth grade course at the very least. In China, sometimes smart people can take it as early as fourth grade. And Japan...probably about the same. How're going to compete with that? It just won't be fair...and also, translating stuff into Japanese would inevitably change the questions just a little...or more. Besides, let's just say that Asians, especially ones that were raised in Asia, are extremely competitive. Japan comes, US has pretty much zero chance of getting first. Start scioly in Japan and keep it there, that's the best thing to do. In my opinion. Anyone who wants to diss that, fine with me.

[Epidemiologist]

I think that Japan coming here will be the worst thing that could happen. Because everything will be unfair in so many ways. Asia's standard of education is so much higher than the US' it's not even funny. In China, sixth graders, and I repeat, SIXTH GRADERS are REQUIRED to take PHYSICS. Which in the US is a tenth grade course at the very least. In China, sometimes smart people can take it as early as fourth grade. And Japan...probably about the same. How're going to compete with that? It just won't be fair...and also, translating stuff into Japanese would inevitably change the questions just a little...or more. Besides, let's just say that Asians, especially ones that were raised in Asia, are extremely competitive. Japan comes, US has pretty much zero chance of getting first. Start scioly in Japan and keep it there, that's the best thing to do. In my opinion. Anyone who wants to diss that, fine with me.

It's very shallow to call it unfair if Japan competes, because they "work harder." Solon probably spends more time working, more time in school, doing high level topics in low grades. Why aren't you saying it's unfair that they compete? You're simply racist. I work harder than you, so should I not be able to compete?

If Japan comes here, if we want to win, we're simply going to work harder, which they are already doing.
It is completely fair, and if you want to make it anywhere, just try harder, but don't be a racist.

[Kokonilly]

I think that Japan coming here will be the worst thing that could happen. Because everything will be unfair in so many ways. Asia's standard of education is so much higher than the US' it's not even funny. In China, sixth graders, and I repeat, SIXTH GRADERS are REQUIRED to take PHYSICS. Which in the US is a tenth grade course at the very least. In China, sometimes smart people can take it as early as fourth grade. And Japan...probably about the same. How're going to compete with that? It just won't be fair...and also, translating stuff into Japanese would inevitably change the questions just a little...or more. Besides, let's just say that Asians, especially ones that were raised in Asia, are extremely competitive. Japan comes, US has pretty much zero chance of getting first. Start scioly in Japan and keep it there, that's the best thing to do. In my opinion. Anyone who wants to diss that, fine with me.

You basically just said "no, they can't compete because they're more competitive than we are". How does that make sense? I dare say that even if the stereotype holds true, America could use a scientific challenge. Maybe our standards of education do need to be higher. This would be a good way to start.

[foreverphysics]

Not really, I'm just saying, it won't be fair. If the US raises their standards of education...now that would be the first step, best step. However, currently, they are so much above us that we stand next to zero chance.

[foreverphysics]

PS: I'm Chinese. I grew up in China. Then I came here. So I know what I'm talking about.

[Luo]

Not really, I'm just saying, it won't be fair. If the US raises their standards of education...now that would be the first step, best step. However, currently, they are so much above us that we stand next to zero chance.

Well, "fairness" is kind of subjective. We all have (roughly) the same cognitive ability; it's fair on that level. There will always be inequities between different school systems, even within the United States. I don't think that saying they have a better school system is grounds for calling it "unfair."

[winneratlife]

I think that Japan coming here will be the worst thing that could happen. Because everything will be unfair in so many ways. Asia's standard of education is so much higher than the US' it's not even funny. In China, sixth graders, and I repeat, SIXTH GRADERS are REQUIRED to take PHYSICS. Which in the US is a tenth grade course at the very least. In China, sometimes smart people can take it as early as fourth grade. And Japan...probably about the same. How're going to compete with that? It just won't be fair...and also, translating stuff into Japanese would inevitably change the questions just a little...or more. Besides, let's just say that Asians, especially ones that were raised in Asia, are extremely competitive. Japan comes, US has pretty much zero chance of getting first. Start scioly in Japan and keep it there, that's the best thing to do. In my opinion. Anyone who wants to diss that, fine with me.

So? Why does that matter?

You can look at this three ways:
a) They learn courses sooner, so they're screwed.
b) They spend ridiculous amounts of time learning things like quantum mechanics and consequently do not have the time to commit to make a good SO team.
c) Either way, analyzing isn't helping you, so get off your butt and get studying. If that makes you good enough to beat them, then you better. If not, if you didn't do it, you'd never know.

You're taking course A, the least intelligent course to take. I highly suggest you take path C. I personally, however, am on path D (I will never have to compete with them and consequently do not care )

[quizbowl]

I think that Japan coming here will be the worst thing that could happen. Because everything will be unfair in so many ways. Asia's standard of education is so much higher than the US' it's not even funny. In China, sixth graders, and I repeat, SIXTH GRADERS are REQUIRED to take PHYSICS. Which in the US is a tenth grade course at the very least. In China, sometimes smart people can take it as early as fourth grade. And Japan...probably about the same. How're going to compete with that? It just won't be fair...and also, translating stuff into Japanese would inevitably change the questions just a little...or more. Besides, let's just say that Asians, especially ones that were raised in Asia, are extremely competitive. Japan comes, US has pretty much zero chance of getting first. Start scioly in Japan and keep it there, that's the best thing to do. In my opinion. Anyone who wants to diss that, fine with me.

That's like saying we should ban Solon for they are just...incredible at Science Olympiad. Where is the logic behind that? They work hard to do well, and so do many East Asians. Just because they might work harder than you doesn't give you an excuse to exclude them.
And have from sympathy - seeing that you are from Alabama, and considering the natural disasters happening both there and Japan, it seems inhumane to retract a helpful hand to a nation already in need.

[Kokonilly]

Well, "fairness" is kind of subjective. We all have (roughly) the same cognitive ability; it's fair on that level. There will always be inequities between different school systems, even within the United States. I don't think that saying they have a better school system is grounds for calling it "unfair."

True. Asians are not inherently more intelligent than other races. If their school system is better, good for them! But we can't ban them from Science Olympiad for that reason.

Personally, I think it's fantastic if SciO is spread to other locations; it's a wonderful activity.