Linnaean Games
The Linnaean Games consist of a question-and-answer competition on entomological facts played between two teams of up to four players each. The games will be conducted in single elimination tournament format with pairings drawn at random.
Team Eligibility: Each institution in the North Central Branch can nominate two teams to participate in the NCB-ESA Linnaean Games. Because of time constraints at the meeting, a maximum of 10 teams will be allowed to compete. Team slots are assigned on a first-come basis. The second team from a school will be allowed to compete only if space is available. Teams must represent a single school.
Participants: Either graduate or undergraduate students may participate on a Linnaean Games team. A student must meet the eligibility requirements for the ESA student awards contest at the branch meeting in which he/she participates. A team consists of a maximum of four students in any given contest with a competing school. Participating teams may replace team members as necessary, provided that all members meet eligibility requirements.
Questions: Questions and answers will be developed by the NCB-ESA Linnaean Games Committee. Toss-up questions will be categorized according to the following subject-areas: morphology, insect behavior, taxonomy and systematics, ecology, economic entomology, medical and veterinary, physiology and biochemistry, and toxicology. Bonus questions will come from entomological history, current events, people, ESA newsletter, American Entomologist, and trivia.
The Contest: Points are scored by correctly answering questions asked by the moderator. The two types of questions toss-up and bonus, are each worth 10 points. Each round begins with a toss-up question. The first player to signal answers the question. He/she must do so without consultation. No player should volunteer an answer to a toss-up until recognized by the moderator as the eligible respondent. If no player signals within 5 seconds of completion of the question the moderator calls "time," and the next toss-up questions begins. If a player answers a toss-up correctly, the team is awarded 10 points and is given a chance at a bonus question. (All team members may confer for up to 20 seconds on the bonus answer. When necessary, the captain will act as a spokesman for the team, and his/her answer will be the official one.) If a player answers a toss-up incorrectly, the question is turned over to the other team and if answered correctly (without consultation) 10 points are awarded. On the turnover, a player must signal and be recognized before answering. A player may interrupt the moderator before the question has been completely read by signaling. If a correct answer is given the team scores 10 points and is given a chance at a bonus question. If an incorrect answer is given the team is penalized 5 points and the entire question is repeated for the other team. A correct answer by the other team scores 10 points and a bonus question will be given. The first-place team and runner-up team from the NCB will compete in the national competition at the next ESA national meeting.
Deadline for entering a team is March 1!
Wyatt Hoback (hobackww@unk.edu)