 Today, we are playing the game Estimation Olympics. In this game, players in 6th through 8th grade compete in three Olympic events where estimation abilities are more important than athletic prowess. Players find a partner to compete against in all three events. The partner with the most accurate estimates wins. Before official gameplay, allow players to practice events without taking measurements. When beginning the events, make sure both players estimate before beginning a trial so that the data from the trial does not skew there at first estimate. The first event is water squeeze. To play, we need three small sponges of various sizes, a metric ruler, a container for water, a container with milliliter measuring lines, and a towel. Place sponges and the metric ruler near the container of water. Place the milliliter measuring container and a towel a foot away from the water container. Choose a sponge, measure its dimensions, and record the measurements on the sheet. Estimate how much water in milliliters you think you can squeeze out of the sponge. Record this estimate. Soak the sponge and slowly count to 7, allowing the excess water to drip. Squeeze out as much water as possible into the milliliter measuring container. Record this measurement. Repeat this event estimating and recording squeezing the same sponge out two times. The second event is lateral jump. For this event, we need masking tape and a measuring stick. Take down a two foot long starting line perpendicular to the jumping area. Place a meter stick near the jumping area. In lateral jump, record an estimate of how far you think you can jump sideways across the starting line. Stand to the left or right of the starting line on two feet. Jump sideways as far as you can and land on two feet. Record your distance from the starting line to the edge of your foot closest to the starting line. Repeat this event recording estimates and measurements of two jumps in succession. The third event is step the distance. We need masking tape, scrap paper, and a meter stick. Tape down a two foot long starting line perpendicular to the walking surface. Place scrap paper near the starting line and place the meter stick near the walking area. Squeeze a sheet of paper between your knees and take a step. Estimate this distance and record the length. Start behind the starting line with the paper squeezed between your legs and take one step. Measure the distance from the starting line to the back of your heel. Keep recording your estimates and measurements taking two steps in succession. At the end of each event, find the difference between your estimate and actual data for each trial. Find the sum of all the differences for all three events. This is your total score. The player with the lowest score is the winner. Estimation Olympics is a long game. A variation of Estimation Olympics is to complete just one event each time you play the game. Play the game three separate times to complete all three events. Click on the instructions link on the Regional Math and Science Center website to read the game rules and other variations and extensions. Thanks for playing!