Instructional Programs and Alternative Schools

Special Enrichment Programs

These programs allow Nassau County students to participate in local state, national and international levels of well known scholastic competitions.

• Conferences for Kids
• Academic Decathlon
• Odyssey of the Mind Competition

Conferences for Kids

These conferences provide an opportunity for students to meet specialists and practitioners in unusual fields or who can look in-depth at particular aspects of academic subjects. They are held in April and May with separate conferences scheduled for third and fourth, fifth and sixth, and seventh and eighth graders. Students choose workshops based on their own interest and investigate new ideas in fresh ways.

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Academic Decathlon

This is an academic competition for high school students that promotes well-rounded study preparation. It provides competition for each team in ten events:

• Six objective tests including fine arts, science, economics and math

• Three tests of communications skills, including an oral interview and written essay

• "Superquiz" on a predetermined theme

Each school’s team consists of two “A” students, two “B” students and two “C” students, plus alternates. This opens up academic competition to motivated “B” and “C” students who are not usually involved in such events.

Subscribing districts will plan a sectional competition to select two local teams to be sent to the New York State competition and then possibly to the national contest. School districts usually appoint a coach to work with the team, starting around October to prepare for the February competition.

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Odyssey of the Mind Competition

This one-day competition (usually in March) is an intellectual marathon enabling youngsters in grades 3–12 to compete in creative problem-solving situations. They are organized into upper elementary, intermediate and secondary divisions, and are challenged by a number of predetermined problems. Each team is coached by a faculty member or parent from its district. Nassau BOCES conducts workshops for coaches and judges and provides other resources and training.

The program code (Coser) for these programs is 530.

Contact:
Carolyn Yohannes
cyohanne@mail.nasboces.org
Phone: 516-608-6457
Fax: 516-826-4554

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