Academic Competitions

 

Mock trials are an engaging and authentic way for students to not only learn about the legal system and careers within it, but also to develop persuasive argumentation skills, public speaking skills, teamwork abilities, and self-confidence. Students write and give speeches, think on their feet, employ critical thinking and logic, and activate their performance skills.The Mock Trial Team will have student assignments as an attorney, a witness, or a bailiff. Part of the team will be the prosecution, and part of the team will be the defense. Our prosecution team will compete against other schools’ defense teams and vice versa. There is also an opportunity for 2 court artists and 1 court journalist to compete. 

Model United Nations (MUN) is an educational simulation and academic activity in which students can learn about diplomacy, international relations, and the United Nations. MUN teaches students about the world and equips them with a range of skills they can use throughout their lives. 
In Model UN, students take on roles as delegates to the United Nations and simulate UN committees. This can be at local, national, or international gatherings. Participants are assigned countries to represent, or at times, they might represent non-governmental organizations or other political entities. Delegates (the students) are presented with their committees' issues in advance of the conference, which range from world peace, climate change, combating disease, human rights issues, to economic development. They research their assigned country's position on these issues. Model UN participants develop speaking, debating, and writing skills, as well as critical thinking, teamwork, and leadership abilities. It introduces them to the complex world of international relations and diplomacy through a hands-on learning approach. 

The Academic Pentathlon is the premier national scholastic competition, and offers our students an engaging way to stretch their academic limits. Students compete in multiple subjects, essay writing, and a novel study, which employ their critical thinking, logic and performance skills.Academic Pentathlon is an exciting five-event competition designed to engage students of all achievement levels in a variety of challenging academic events. Students compete only with other students within their own GPA category.

The National Geography Bee (also known as the International Geography Bee in its global edition) is aimed at encouraging students to cultivate an interest in geography. The competition covers physical, cultural, and economic geography, along with geo-political current events. Its goal is to foster a global perspective and understanding among students.  Students compete in varying rounds that test their knowledge through written questions, map reading, and in some cases, multimedia-based queries. The competition usually begins at the school level, advancing through state or regional competitions, and culminates in a national championship. Top performers may proceed to the international level.

The National History Bee focuses on nurturing an appreciation and deep understanding of history among students. Participants are tested on a wide array of historical topics, ranging from ancient times to modern history, including significant events, influential figures, and cultural movements.  Similar to the Geography Bee, the History Bee engages students through a multi-tier competition structure, starting from preliminary rounds within schools, moving on to regional or state levels, and leading up to a national finals. Exceptional participants may qualify for international competitions, competing against history buffs from around the world.

The National Science Bee aims to excite and challenge students in the fields of biology, chemistry, physics, earth science, and environmental science. The competition is designed to promote scientific literacy and encourage students to pursue an interest in the science disciplines.  Students face a series of questions in a quiz bowl format, which may include written or oral rounds, practical lab activities, or interactive challenges. The competition progresses from local levels to a national finals, with opportunities for global competition for outstanding achievers.
All three bees - National Geography Bee, National History Bee, and National Science Bee - are integral components of the International Academic Competitions. IAC's overarching mission is to inspire a passion for learning, critical thinking, and global awareness through academic excellence. Participants not only gain in-depth knowledge in their respective fields but also develop vital skills such as analytical thinking, problem-solving, and time management.

At our school, the science fair is a pivotal event that not only fosters scientific curiosity and critical thinking among students but also prepares them for broader stages. Beginning with an in-school round, students dive deep into their chosen STEM topics, developing projects through rigorous research and experimentation. The journey from formulating hypotheses to presenting findings hones their analytical and public speaking skills. Finalists from our school have the esteemed opportunity to extend their horizons by competing in the Los Angeles County Science Fair as well as at the California state level, showcasing their innovative solutions and gathering invaluable experiences. Furthermore, our students also participate in the Armenian Engineers and Scientists of America (AESA) fair, a platform that connects them with professional scientists and engineers, enriching their pursuit of science with mentorship and inspiration. This comprehensive engagement with science propels our students not just to achieve in competitions but to cultivate a lasting passion for exploration and discovery.

Every year, our school proudly hosts a Spelling Bee for 4th to 6th grade students, beginning a literacy adventure right within their classrooms. The purpose of this endeavor is twofold. Firstly, it encourages students to enhance their spelling skills and expand their vocabularies, laying a strong foundation for effective communication. Secondly, it aims to foster a sense of confidence in public speaking and instills a competitive spirit, all within a supportive environment. After the classroom rounds, the top three spellers from each grade advance to compete in the school-wide Spelling Bee, where one champion emerges. This champion then represents our school at the regional competition, showcasing their dedication and the values we hold dear—perseverance, academic excellence, and a love for learning. 

The Armenian Educational Foundation (AEF) Oratorical Competition is an event aimed at enhancing public speaking and critical thinking skills among students. It provides a platform for young participants to engage with diverse prompts each year, showcasing their ability to articulate and communicate ideas effectively. Students have the option to compete in either Armenian, English, or both, which not only promotes bilingual proficiency but also encourages a broader participation base. The primary goal of the competition is to empower students by developing their oratory skills, fostering their intellectual growth, and building their confidence in public speaking. This initiative supports the cultivation of future leaders and communicators by providing them with an opportunity to express their thoughts and ideas in a competitive yet supportive environment. Following an in-school competition, one English category contestant, and Armenian category contestant is chosen to compete in the next round and to have the opportunity to compete in the final round, which takes place at UCLA. 

MathCON and Math League are national math competitions for students in grades 4 through 8. These events aim to improve math education across the U.S. Students participate to test their math skills against those of their peers from other elementary and middle schools nationwide. The main goals are to allow students to showcase their math abilities in a fun setting and to strengthen their problem-solving skills. These annual events also aim to boost students' interest in math by demonstrating its real-world applications.

The Glendale and La Crescenta "I Love My Neighborhood" poster contest is a specific iteration of community art initiatives designed to celebrate local pride and creativity. Aimed primarily at school children and teens within these communities, the contest invites participants to create posters that reflect what they cherish about their neighborhood. This could encompass local landmarks, cultural events, natural beauty, or aspects of daily life that make the area special to them. This initiative not only encourages young residents to observe and appreciate their immediate surroundings but also engages them in the arts, promoting both personal expression and community involvement. Winning posters are often showcased at local events, public buildings, or in community publications, serving as a testament to the vibrant life and creativity within Glendale and La Crescenta. The contest includes various categories for different age groups, ensuring that children and teens of all ages have a fair chance to exhibit their work. 

The Los Angeles County Public Library Annual Bookmark Contest is a creative competition that invites children and teens to design original bookmarks. This event is held by the Los Angeles County Public Library system and aims to foster creativity, literacy, and love for reading among the youth. Participants are typically divided into different age categories, and they are encouraged to create bookmark designs that reflect their love for books, reading, or specific themes related to the library’s initiatives. Winners of the contest have their designs reproduced and distributed in libraries across the county, serving both as a reward for their creativity and as a way to encourage reading within the community. The Annual Bookmark Contest is a celebrated tradition that not only highlights artistic talent but also promotes engagement with the library's resources and services. 

Our 7th graders participate in The Future City Competition which is a national, project-based learning experience through which students imagine, design, and build cities of the future. This annual competition provides a fun and exciting educational opportunity that encourages students to use their creativity, engineering, and problem-solving skills to create solutions to challenges facing modern cities. Teams of students, guided by an educator and a STEM mentor, work together to build scale models of their cities, write detailed city descriptions, create a project plan, and present their solutions to judges in regional and potentially national competitions. The competition typically revolves around a central theme or problem that changes each year, ensuring that the challenges remain relevant to current and future urban issues. These themes often focus on sustainability, energy efficiency, environmental protection, and the integration of technology in urban planning. The aim of the Future City Competition is not only to spark interest in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields among middle school students but also to foster an understanding of the complexities and the importance of sustainable urban development. Through this hands-on, interactive challenge, students gain a deeper appreciation for the role of engineers, city planners, and leaders in shaping the future.