Search found 447 matches

by alexdz
Tue Mar 28, 2017 3:52 pm
Forum: College area archives
Topic: 2017 EMT General Discussion
Replies: 18
Views: 9975

Re: 2017 EMT General Discussion

Just wanted to write since I think there was never an official update/communication about this, but a few days after my initial expression of interest in helping write for this, I got a handle on my schedule and realized I wouldn't be able to write nearly as much as I thought. So, I let the team kno...
by alexdz
Tue Mar 21, 2017 11:10 pm
Forum: Middle school area archives
Topic: Speaking about Quiz Bowl at a middle school conference
Replies: 3
Views: 6231

Re: Speaking about Quiz Bowl at a middle school conference

Here's my philosophy behind getting young students involved in quizbowl: if we really believe in getting students academically engaged outside of the classroom, then quizbowl offers a setting for students to be able to utilize their newfound knowledge. The activity inherently offers rewards to stude...
by alexdz
Tue Mar 21, 2017 7:28 pm
Forum: College area archives
Topic: CANCELLED: DII ICT mirror @ Mizzou (4/15/17)
Replies: 1
Views: 1648

Re: DII ICT mirror @ Mizzou (4/15/17)

Very tempting...
by alexdz
Tue Mar 21, 2017 7:23 pm
Forum: Middle school area archives
Topic: Building a Circuit
Replies: 2
Views: 4700

Re: Building a Circuit

The answer to your question seems to be twofold. On the one hand, there need to be tournaments to attend. On the other hand, you also need teams to attend them. Growing the number of tournaments AND the number of teams are both necessary to build up the circuit. In my experience in Missouri, many mi...
by alexdz
Tue Mar 21, 2017 7:20 pm
Forum: Middle school area archives
Topic: Questions from a rookie
Replies: 4
Views: 3311

Re: Questions from a rookie

Hi, I'm the owner/editor for SAGES that was just mentioned above. Right now, I'm trying to finish grad school and looking for new jobs, so I'm not sure if I'll be producing anything new in the very near future. But I'm definitely willing to explore options to work with you. Don't hesitate to get in ...
by alexdz
Wed Mar 01, 2017 3:28 pm
Forum: College area archives
Topic: Packet Sub: Things you liked in high school
Replies: 41
Views: 20794

Re: Packet Sub: Things you liked in high school

I'm high school class of '08, btw.
by alexdz
Wed Mar 01, 2017 3:27 pm
Forum: College area archives
Topic: ACF Nationals Planning
Replies: 9
Views: 5359

Re: ACF Nationals Planning

In the past, large groups of quizbowl players have stayed in hotels in Secaucus, NJ for tournaments held at Columbia, and then taken the commuter rail from there into New York City. My knowledge of New York City area geography is hazy, but I believe this is on the same rail line as Newark Internati...
by alexdz
Thu Feb 23, 2017 11:31 pm
Forum: High school area archives
Topic: Gender & Quiz Bowl
Replies: 6
Views: 5507

Re: Gender & Quiz Bowl

Not exactly related, but a couple of years ago there was a discussion of LGBT representation in quizbowl. I get that you're looking at women specifically, but it might be worth skimming for some insight on broader issues of gender/sexuality representation.
by alexdz
Fri Feb 17, 2017 5:44 am
Forum: High school area archives
Topic: New England Discussion '16-'17
Replies: 12
Views: 6561

Re: New England Discussion '16-'17

An out-of-region-er post here: I'm flying up to the Boston area for a conference the weekend of March 4. I checked out the calendar and it doesn't look like anything is going on that weekend besides a NHQBL tournament. Just wanted to post in case anyone's doing a fun quizbowl-related activity that w...
by alexdz
Mon Feb 06, 2017 3:07 am
Forum: College area archives
Topic: 2017 NAQT Midwest SCT at WUSTL on Feb. 4, 2017
Replies: 3
Views: 3517

Re: 2017 NAQT Midwest SCT at WUSTL on Feb. 4, 2017

Just wanted to say: This was likely my last collegiate quizbowl tournament, since I'll hopefully be graduating my masters program this spring and there aren't any other events on my horizon. I had an amazing time thanks to NAQT, to Sean, to the staff, and to all the other teams who came to compete!
by alexdz
Sun Jan 29, 2017 10:13 pm
Forum: High school area archives
Topic: Outreach to Alumni
Replies: 1
Views: 1868

Re: Outreach to Alumni

Possibly link directly to http://www.hsquizbowl.org/forums/viewto ... 50#p297841 - connecting people to sites/discussions in their states and local areas.
by alexdz
Thu Jan 26, 2017 9:28 pm
Forum: High school area archives
Topic: Indiana 2016-17
Replies: 14
Views: 6691

Re: Indiana 2016-17

To the best of my knowledge, there is no mirror of BASQT scheduled in Illinois, so you might be able to draw some Illinois teams if you share/post in the Illinois section.
by alexdz
Sat Jan 14, 2017 1:45 am
Forum: High school area archives
Topic: Surviving Graduate School: Twelve Thoughts
Replies: 7
Views: 1483

Re: Surviving Graduate School: Twelve Thoughts

I'm in a bit of a different kind of grad school situation, since I don't plan to stay in academia, but still happy to share some thoughts. After I got my bachelors in 2012, I spent the following academic year working as a middle school science teacher, which is another story to tell altogether some ...
by alexdz
Thu Dec 01, 2016 7:06 pm
Forum: High school area archives
Topic: I Don't Understand
Replies: 20
Views: 10874

Re: I Don't Understand

My only experience as captain was in Missouri back in 2005-2008, and the thing is back then the "captain" actually had designated gameplay roles (we had to give the answer on a bonus or it would not be accepted at all). So there was some benefit to having a captain be a good player, too. T...
by alexdz
Thu Nov 17, 2016 1:29 am
Forum: High school area archives
Topic: Elementary/MS editing help needed
Replies: 1
Views: 1939

Elementary/MS editing help needed

The first step to solving a problem is admitting you have one, and preferably early enough to get help. I'm not in crisis mode yet, but as I'm triaging my workload for the next few weeks it has become clear that I need help producing this year's quizbowl questions for SAGES, more so than I thought. ...
by alexdz
Wed Nov 09, 2016 2:48 pm
Forum: High school area archives
Topic: What are/were your other extracurriculars?
Replies: 8
Views: 792

Re: What are/were your other extracurriculars?

I went to a tiny rural high school but one that had decent funding, so we had lots of extracurriculars and not a lot of people. This is a classic recipe for people like me getting overinvolved. I played clarinet, starting in my sixth grade band and continuing all the way through college (Marching Mi...
by alexdz
Wed Oct 12, 2016 3:58 pm
Forum: New Collegiate Teams
Topic: North East Quizbowl Scene
Replies: 2
Views: 10435

Re: North East Quizbowl Scene

Four hours isn't great by any means, but don't let that deter you from getting something started. Teams in the midwest can make trips of 6-7 hours sometimes and are still able to recruit willing players.
by alexdz
Fri Oct 07, 2016 8:46 pm
Forum: High school area archives
Topic: Indiana 2016-17
Replies: 14
Views: 6691

Re: Indiana 2016-17

Posting like I did last year to say that as Indiana people plan and host things, don't hesitate to reach out to me. I'm just over the border in Champaign, Illinois, and depending on my schedule I might be willing to come help out! Also, if there are events that are interested in having Illinois team...
by alexdz
Wed Sep 21, 2016 12:30 am
Forum: High school area archives
Topic: SSNCT and Charter School Eligibility
Replies: 43
Views: 25384

Re: SSNCT and Charter School Eligibility

One possible route to take might be to consider some kind of "multiplier" on the size of all selective-admissions schools. While I don't think the way MSHSAA runs Missouri scholar bowl is the best method, one thing they do consider is how to minimize the inherent advantages of private scho...
by alexdz
Sat Sep 17, 2016 11:48 pm
Forum: New Collegiate Teams
Topic: How's the scene in Indiana? (plus a couple other questions)
Replies: 5
Views: 11640

Re: How's the scene in Indiana? (plus a couple other questi

Evan, welcome! I've been in your shoes before and I applaud your interest in trying to get something started. As other folks have mentioned, the "Midwest" circuit can cover a pretty large chunk of the country centered around Chicago. Some events will have just one host in the Midwest, and ...
by alexdz
Tue Sep 13, 2016 10:58 pm
Forum: High school area archives
Topic: Middle School Set by Nov?
Replies: 4
Views: 2163

Re: Middle School Set by Nov?

tuscumbiaqb wrote:NAQT's middle school questions are pretty easy. You could also try SAGES.
If you're going for particularly easy, then SAGES might be good since it's targeted at elementary level. The questions are pretty short but still pyramidal. Message or email me if you want more info.
by alexdz
Tue Aug 30, 2016 11:51 pm
Forum: College area archives
Topic: Early Fall Tournament (EFT) 2016
Replies: 45
Views: 41698

Re: Early Fall Tournament (EFT) 2016

While I think this idea may help somewhat to bring a few more folks into the fold, I do think Cody is onto something important. In my (admittedly limited) experience running college tournaments, the problem is less likely to be the actual outreach to new teams, but providing a convincing reason for ...
by alexdz
Wed Aug 24, 2016 7:40 pm
Forum: Miscellaneous Quizbowl
Topic: NAQT's tournament notification system
Replies: 3
Views: 12303

Re: NAQT's tournament notification system

First, let me say I really think this is a good idea and a great tool for people to find tournaments. As a staffer, this is particularly useful to find events nearby that may be looking for additional help. However, I am not a fan of this tool's limitation of notifications based on organizations wit...
by alexdz
Tue Aug 16, 2016 6:13 pm
Forum: High school area archives
Topic: Why is the idea of a Board of Directors being overlooked?
Replies: 3
Views: 3450

Re: Why is the idea of a Board of Directors being overlooked

As someone who sits on a board, I can say that there are basically two models for this: (1) Board acts in an advisory capacity : So this, for many reasons, is a favorite of board members. They are able to contribute a few hours a month to help advise on important decisions for the company/organizati...
by alexdz
Mon Aug 15, 2016 9:01 pm
Forum: High school area archives
Topic: SSNCT 2017 Qualifying
Replies: 5
Views: 2772

Re: SSNCT 2017 Qualifying

bird bird bird bird bird wrote:This event is Quiz Central, the Michigan TV show.
Ah, got it.
by alexdz
Mon Aug 15, 2016 8:37 pm
Forum: High school area archives
Topic: SSNCT 2017 Qualifying
Replies: 5
Views: 2772

Re: SSNCT 2017 Qualifying

Lauren, I'm curious about where you are located. A tournament format where losing one match results in immediate elimination is pretty uncommon. I'd be very interested to help you identify some possible alternative events to enter, or ways to help advocate for a format that allows you more games.
by alexdz
Wed Jul 13, 2016 8:55 pm
Forum: Middle school area archives
Topic: SAGES Quizbowl Questions (elementary & MS)
Replies: 7
Views: 9909

Re: SAGES Quizbowl Questions (elementary & MS)

A few relevant updates, some long overdue: In order to best allocate time for editing, and in order to prepare the 2016-2017 sets with a much earlier timeline, at this point I do not plan to fully convert the 2016 elementary (SAGES) sets into 20/20. For now, there are around 3 packets of 20/20 and n...
by alexdz
Wed Jul 13, 2016 8:23 pm
Forum: High school area archives
Topic: Academic Studies of the Benefits of Quiz Bowl
Replies: 1
Views: 2381

Re: Academic Studies of the Benefits of Quiz Bowl

This is not *exactly* what you're looking for, but I ran across this article a few years ago through some science education listserv I was on. Might contain some useful nuggets.
by alexdz
Sat Jun 11, 2016 2:48 pm
Forum: High school area archives
Topic: NHBB for Middle and Elementary Levels (Chicago, IL 6/9-6/12)
Replies: 86
Views: 60153

Re: NHBB for Middle and Elementary Levels (Chicago, IL 6/9-6

This rule, and the decision that resulted from its application, is not going to go well towards creating a pathway for elementary and middle school students to become enthusiastic about quizbowl. Those involved have really gotten themselves into a bad situation.
by alexdz
Wed Jun 08, 2016 9:10 pm
Forum: High school area archives
Topic: 2016 nAC
Replies: 72
Views: 35227

Re: 2016 nAC

You'd be welcome to some events over in Illinois as well - such as the University of Illinois' tournaments!
by alexdz
Tue Jun 07, 2016 12:53 pm
Forum: Middle school area archives
Topic: SAGES Quizbowl Questions (elementary & MS)
Replies: 7
Views: 9909

Re: SAGES Quizbowl Questions (elementary & MS)

Thank you so much for the kind words, Ken. I will be giving myself a much longer window to work on next year's elementary set and hope to do even more to control the difficulty and hopefully boost those scores while still providing a meaningful competitive experience. Pyramidal elementary sets are s...
by alexdz
Mon Jun 06, 2016 4:49 pm
Forum: High school area archives
Topic: NSC 2016 Set Discussion
Replies: 32
Views: 15418

Re: NSC 2016 Set Discussion

I was not a big fan of the giveaway clue on one of the "chicken" questions that said something to the effect of "this animal whose meat is served at KFC." Is there really not a slightly more academic giveaway clue for that?
by alexdz
Tue May 24, 2016 1:13 pm
Forum: Middle school area archives
Topic: 2016 US Academic Bee and Bowl Nationals
Replies: 14
Views: 9996

Re: US Academic Bee and Bowl Nationals

For the record, there is decent interest in elementary quiz bowl (primarily 5th/6th graders, I think) in Missouri, with a few tournaments each year. I agree that starting a kid in 2nd grade on "career" quizbowl is not a great idea, but I don't see any reason why a tournament or two a year ...
by alexdz
Tue May 03, 2016 10:31 pm
Forum: College area archives
Topic: Buzzer repairs and sales
Replies: 6
Views: 5868

Re: Buzzer repairs and sales

Has anyone heard of this brand (Rolls)? I saw a teacher on Donors Choose requesting these today. They look halfway decent, but I've just never heard of anyone using them. If it turns out that they work and hold up decently well, they'd be a pretty cheap option.
by alexdz
Mon Apr 18, 2016 2:29 pm
Forum: High school area archives
Topic: Indiana 2015-2016
Replies: 8
Views: 4038

Re: Indiana 2015-2016

Next year Harrison is hoping to expand quiz bowl participation in our area and awareness of pyramidal formats throughout our league. Let's hope this is successful. I'm over in Champaign, Illinois, but that's not too awfully far from your area. Please be in touch if there's anything I could help wit...
by alexdz
Mon Feb 08, 2016 9:45 pm
Forum: High school area archives
Topic: Easily portable buzzer systems fading away?
Replies: 6
Views: 6230

Re: Easily portable buzzer systems fading away?

I've been wondering for some time if there was any good, centralized way to offer inexpensive buzzer repair for these teams. For teams attending national tournaments, these might offer centralized locations, but for teams who aren't, they're left with no good way to get systems repaired. Are there e...
by alexdz
Thu Feb 04, 2016 9:54 pm
Forum: High school area archives
Topic: quizbowl blog - looking for contributors
Replies: 0
Views: 1947

quizbowl blog - looking for contributors

I've started a blog on the website for SAGES Quizbowl Questions . Since I built the website using Wordpress anyway, the blog is a natural feature. I've decided to exercise my right to make terrible online puns, so the blog has been dubbed "Sage Advice." Although SAGES is primarily a questi...
by alexdz
Tue Feb 02, 2016 7:15 pm
Forum: Middle school area archives
Topic: Top MS Players?
Replies: 5
Views: 5674

Re: Top MS Players?

As a Missouri expat, I'm most familiar with that middle school circuit. This year so far there haven't been a significant number of pyramidal 20/20-style events, but there are a number coming up throughout March and April. Some standouts this year, so far, are: Audrey Bush (Washington MS) Josh Even ...
by alexdz
Tue Jan 19, 2016 7:38 pm
Forum: Middle school area archives
Topic: Barrington Invitational Tournament XIII (3.12.2016)
Replies: 7
Views: 5196

Re: Barrington Invitational Tournament XIII (3.12.2016)

Coach, are you still planning on using SCOP MS for this? Just wanted that to be clear in case teams are curious what the question set will be to avoid any conflicts.
by alexdz
Wed Jan 13, 2016 5:42 pm
Forum: College area archives
Topic: Gauging interest for before-and-after contributions
Replies: 13
Views: 7569

Re: Gauging interest for before-and-after contributions

Any word on if these will get played/scrimmaged at any tournaments? I'm itching to hear what other people wrote.
by alexdz
Wed Jan 13, 2016 8:40 am
Forum: Middle school area archives
Topic: SAGES Quizbowl Questions (elementary & MS)
Replies: 7
Views: 9909

Re: SAGES Quizbowl Questions (elementary & MS)

I have pushed back the availability of PLATO to sometime in February to give us time to complete the writing process for both it and SAGES. I hope to have a more definitive timeline on its completion later. Both sets are still seeking mirrors; if you're interested in seeing the set(s) played in your...
by alexdz
Fri Jan 08, 2016 7:53 pm
Forum: College area archives
Topic: Midwest SCT @ Illinois, 2/6/2016
Replies: 4
Views: 3353

Re: Midwest SCT @ Illinois, 2/6/2016

Captain Sinico wrote:CALL FOR STAFF
The NAQT Illinois State Championship can’t happen without staff!
True, but that tournament is the following weekend. :)
by alexdz
Wed Dec 23, 2015 1:25 am
Forum: High school area archives
Topic: HSQB's Favorite Hit Songs of 2015
Replies: 28
Views: 2540

Re: HSQB's Favorite Hit Songs of 2015

My favorites: 1. "Drag Me Down" - One Direction - 1D's finest work to date. Doesn't have that boyband vibe from early on. Yeah, it's missing Zayn, but the video has the boys dressed as astronauts! 2. "Honey, I'm Good" - Andy Grammer - Maybe going against popular opinion here, but...
by alexdz
Fri Dec 11, 2015 10:40 pm
Forum: High school area archives
Topic: Incentivizing Outreach: A Negative Mirror Fee?
Replies: 13
Views: 7880

Re: Incentivizing Outreach: A Negative Mirror Fee?

it might make sense to pick a set or two for this, market it to hosts as an opportunity for encourage outreach, and see how it works in terms of attracting new teams and incentivizing new hosts. Instead of placing this burden on the established writing companies, who have a goal to make some kind o...
by alexdz
Fri Dec 11, 2015 10:09 pm
Forum: High school area archives
Topic: Incentivizing Outreach: A Negative Mirror Fee?
Replies: 13
Views: 7880

Re: Incentivizing Outreach: A Negative Mirror Fee?

Having done significant outreach work with MOQBA in Missouri, the best use of the funds we had available to offer discounts was in offering staffing discounts. It allowed our tournaments to be run efficiently with skilled staffers, tangentially gave a slight benefit to teams with smaller entry fees,...
by alexdz
Mon Dec 07, 2015 8:58 pm
Forum: Middle school area archives
Topic: SAGES Quizbowl Questions (elementary & MS)
Replies: 7
Views: 9909

Re: SAGES Quizbowl Questions (elementary & MS)

MIRRORS

SAGES II:
(TU-only) Show-Me Conference Elementary Knowledge Bowl - Jefferson City, MO - March 15, 2016

PLATO:
Hallsville Middle School Quads - Hallsville, MO - December 9, 2015 through March 2016
Dayton, OH area mirror - April?
by alexdz
Mon Dec 07, 2015 4:47 pm
Forum: Middle school area archives
Topic: SAGES Quizbowl Questions (elementary & MS)
Replies: 7
Views: 9909

Re: SAGES Quizbowl Questions (elementary & MS)

I am happy to take on more interested writers to join the SAGES team. If you are interested, please email me at the same address listed above with some information about your quizbowl experience in general (how many years you have played/coached and where) and, if applicable, any writing experience ...
by alexdz
Mon Dec 07, 2015 4:43 pm
Forum: Middle school area archives
Topic: SAGES Quizbowl Questions (elementary & MS)
Replies: 7
Views: 9909

SAGES Quizbowl Questions (elementary & MS)

I'm pleased to announce that this year, I will be coordinating the writing of 3 question sets available for use at the elementary and middle school levels through my new question business name, SAGES Quizbowl Questions (website forthcoming). There are three tiers of questions available for target di...
by alexdz
Fri Dec 04, 2015 5:16 pm
Forum: High school area archives
Topic: History Youtube Channels
Replies: 12
Views: 1415

Re: History Youtube Channels

This is not a history one, but I subscribe and semi-regularly watch videos on Numberphile about math. I've never gotten a quizbowl question from one necessarily, but they're often interesting discussions and examples of mathematical properties, paradoxes, formulae, etc. I've also found Tom Scott's v...
by alexdz
Thu Dec 03, 2015 6:16 pm
Forum: Databases and Quizbowl Software
Topic: Idealized QB software - what would it look like?
Replies: 5
Views: 3860

Re: Idealized QB software - what would it look like?

I'm not a computer person, but I'll say that I've always thought quizbowl needed something in the vein of the Hy-Tek family of products that is common in the world of track & field. I've used both the Team Manager and Meet Manager software, and while it's a bit clunky sometimes, it does everythi...