Based on the knowledge of what skills are needed for a particular competition, the coaches select students who match up with those skills. After each competition, medals are awarded to the winning schools. At the end of the year, the team with the most points earns a traveling trophy. Last season's top team was Mexico, coached by Joe Shaw. By choosing teams based on the nature of the competition, the Academic League is open to a greater range of students than if using a constant roster.
Many students try to figure out what the competition is as they ride the bus to the site.
They find out what they have in common academically, and attempt to decipher the nature of the competition from that, Dietz said. Previous competitions have included creating a web site, designing a golf course and building a solid structure out of sticks and straws - then pouring sand on top of it to determine how many pounds of pressure it could stand up against. Inc. The terms and conditions of the use of this website are set forth in our legal statement . Your use of this site means you agree to the terms of use, whether or not you have read the terms.