Middle UIL Academics
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Art
Grades 6-8
Art challenges students to study and analyze selected works from the National Gallery of Art and Texas museums. Contestants identify artists and artwork, demonstrate knowledge of art history and recognize elements, characteristics and ideas represented in selected works.
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Calculator Applications
Grades 6-8
Calculator Applications challenges students in grades 6-8 to develop mathematical reasoning, problem-solving and calculator skills. Contestants have 30 minutes to solve 80 problems involving mathematical calculations, geometry and real-world applications.
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Chess Puzzle
Grades 6-8
Unlike tournament play, Chess Puzzle challenges students to analyze chess positions and determine the best possible moves. Students complete a 30-minute multiple-choice test featuring a series of chessboard diagrams, followed by a five-minute tiebreaker.
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Dictionary Skills
Grade 6-8
Dictionary Skills helps students strengthen their ability to quickly and accurately locate information using a dictionary. Contestants have 20 minutes to answer 40 questions covering word origins, parts of speech, pronunciation, spelling, alphabetizing, charts, tables and other dictionary elements.
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Editorial Writing
Grades 6-8
Editorial Writing helps students develop persuasive writing and critical thinking skills. Contestants have 45 minutes to write an editorial advocating a specific point of view in response to a provided prompt.
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Impromptu Speaking
Grades 6-8
Impromptu Speaking helps students develop public speaking, organization and critical thinking skills. Contestants draw three topics, select one and have three minutes to prepare a speech without notes. Speeches may be up to five minutes long.
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Listening
Grade 6-8
Listening helps students develop active listening, critical thinking and comprehension skills. Contestants listen to a short presentation, take notes and answer 25 questions that measure their ability to identify key ideas, draw conclusions, distinguish fact from opinion and evaluate a speaker's message.
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Maps, Graphs & Charts
Grade 6-8
Maps, Graphs and Charts helps students develop skills in interpreting and analyzing information from maps, graphs and charts. Contestants have 45 minutes to answer approximately 75 questions involving comparisons, estimation, scale, grid systems, legends, keys and reference materials.
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Mathematics
Grades 6-8
Mathematics challenges students to apply mathematical knowledge and problem-solving skills across a variety of concepts. Contest topics may include arithmetic, fractions, decimals, exponents, probability, statistics, measurements, conversions, geometry and algebra appropriate for the grade level.
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Modern Oratory
Grades 6-8
Modern Oratory helps students in grades 6-8 develop research, critical thinking and public speaking skills. Contestants research both sides of a topic, select a position and deliver a memorized speech supported by evidence.
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Music Memory
Grades 6-8
Music Memory introduces students to notable composers and a variety of musical genres while building listening and analytical skills. Students listen to short excerpts from up to 20 musical selections and identify the major work, selection and composer.
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Number Sense
Grades 6-8
Number Sense challenges students to solve math problems quickly and accurately without using paper calculations or a calculator. Contestants have 10 minutes to complete a fill-in-the-blank test covering concepts such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, proportions and mathematical notation.
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Oral Reading
Grades 6-8
Oral Reading helps students develop literary analysis, communication and performance skills through reading poetry aloud. Contestants perform a published poetry selection, which may include one poem, a portion of a poem or a combination of poems.
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Ready Writing
Grades 6-8
Ready Writing challenges students to analyze a prompt and write effectively for a specific purpose and audience. Contestants choose between two prompts and have two hours to complete an original composition with no minimum or maximum word count.
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Science
Grades 6-8
Science challenges students in grades 6-8 to apply scientific knowledge, principles and critical thinking skills. Contestants have 45 minutes to answer approximately 50 questions covering topics such as matter and energy, force and motion, organisms and the environment, the solar system and genetics.
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Social Studies
Grade 6-8
Social Studies challenges students to apply their knowledge of topics identified in an annually updated study outline. Contestants have 40 minutes to answer 30 questions based on state-adopted textbooks and selected primary sources.
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Spelling
Grades 6-8
Spelling helps students expand their vocabulary while developing spelling, capitalization and handwriting skills. Contestants write words as they are pronounced at a rate of approximately five words per minute.
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