Academic Activities

DoDDS-Europe offers students a variety of state level activities and academic competitions. These activities are designed to enhance and extend classroom instruction and provide students with the opportunity to apply their academic skills in reality-based situations. The following activities are currently being sponsored by DoDDS-Europe:

Model U.S. Senate
April 19-23, 2010 | Grades 10-12 The Model U.S. Senate (MUSS) is a unique simulation of the American congressional process in the United States Senate. High school students are assigned to play the roles of senators and other senior members of government. The activity will be held in Raunheim, Germany, from April 19-23, 2010. Student registration: € 350 covers the cost of lodging, meals and materials.
National History Day
April 20-21, 2010 | Grades 6-8 and 9-12 Divided into two divisions (grades 6-8 and 9-12) and 7 categories, National History Day promotes the study of citizenship and civics through the construction of history based projects. These projects are entered in District, State, and National contests. District contests are usually held in mid February, with the DoDDS-E (State) contest held April 20-21 at Oberwesel, Germany. Registration fees for this activity is to be determined, and will include meals and lodging. The National contest is held June 14-18, 2009 at the University of Maryland College Park Campus.
Model United Nations
  • Prague: January 6-10, 2010
  • Den Haag, Netherlands: January 24-30, 2010
  • Bahrain: TBD
  • Dublin (St Andrews): March 29 - April 1, 2010

  • ... for Grades 9-12
 MUN students practice the art of compromise and diplomacy through realistic United Nations simulated activities. School delegations attend General Assembly and Security Council simulated sessions. DoDDS-E students attend MUN sessions in various locations: The Hague, St. Andrews, Prague, Ramstein, Berlin, and Bahrain. For specific information including costs, contact the MUN sponsor at your local school.
Math Counts | Grades 6-8
March 25, 2010 At the school level, students are coached in problem solving and math skills for this national program. Students will compete at the School, Chapter, and State levels, with State finalists advancing to Nationals. The State Competition is scheduled to take place March 25, 2010, in Wiesbaden, Germany, and the National Competition will be held in May 6-9, 2010, in Orlando, Florida. Student registration fee: DoDDS-Europe pays the registration fee for every DoDDS-E school to compete. State qualifiers are responsible for their lodging and meal expenses at the State Competition.
Junior Science & Humanities Symposium
April 5-7, 2010 | Grades 9-12 JSHS is for students who are interested in STEM: science, technology, engineering or mathematics. Students work on original research projects at their schools and then compete in the DoDDS-Europe Regional for scholarships and awards. JSHS is held April 5-7, 2010, in Reidstadt-Goddelau, Germany. The 48th National Junior Science and Humanities Symposium will be held April 28-May 2, 2010, in Bethesda, Maryland. Student registration: $100 covers lodging and meals.
Future Business Leaders of America
June 1-4, 2010 | Grades 7-12 FBLA students strive to develop personal and professional skills that can be utilized as career supportive competencies. The Spring Leadership Conference June 1-4, 2010, in Garmisch, Germany, features seminars on public speaking, leadership techniques, organizational skills, education/career guidance and competitions ranging from audio visual presentations to web design. At the event local chapters elect the new State FBLA Officers and prepare for the summer FBLA National Conference. Attendance at the Spring Leadership Conference is highly recommended for aspiring Local and State Officer Candidates. Student registration fee: $275.00 covers meals, lodging, and materials.
Odyssey of the Mind
March 27, 2010 | Grades 3-8 In Odyssey of the Mind, participants compete as individual school teams (5 to 7 members each) solving a variety of problems through creative solutions. Teams are determined at the school level for competition. District winners will compete at the DoDDS-E (State) Competition, slated for March 27, 2010, in Kaiserslautern, Germany. The annual OotM membership fee is $100.00, paid by each participating school.
All-Europe Academic Bowl
January 11-13, 2010 Each participating DoDDS-E high school selects a 4 person team by November 30, 2009, based on a minimum of 10 practice sessions. Teams then compete against the best of the best in the two day All Europe Academic Bowl Tournament. The format is patterned after the "College Brain Bowl." Questions reflect a broad high school curriculum to include the subjects of math, science, social studies, history, culture, language arts, and literature. Held annually, the competition for 2010 will be from January 11-13, 2010 in Hambachtal, Germany.
LinguaFest
November 30 - December 4, 2010 | Grades 8-12 LinguaFest offers participants a rigorous, immersive language experience in the language that they are currently studying, while evening enrichment offerings enable students to explore other languages and cultures. Students apply for this activity in September/October through their schools; selections are made in October. Event: Nov 30- Dec 04. Student registration: € 160.00 for lodging and meals.
International Student Leadership Institute
February 28-March 5, 2010 | Grades 10-11 This activity brings together students from European and DoDDS high schools to discuss and practice methods associated with leadership skills. ISLI is held in Oberwesel, Germany, from February 28-March 5, 2010. Organized and run by a Board of Directors composed of German, Dutch, Czech, and American teachers and students, host nation corporations, European schools, and DoDDS-Europe sponsor this activity. Student cost: € 215 covers lodging, meals and materials.
Junior Leadership Seminar
February 21-27, 2010 | Grade 7 Junior Leadership Seminar is a 6-day event designed to identify and develop leadership skills for use in school. JLS will be held in Oberwesel, Germany from February 21-27, 2010. Student registration: € 140 covers lodging, meals, and materials expenses.
Berlin Seminar
February 9-12, 2010 | Class of 2010 Throughout DoDDS-E, Seniors only are invited to apply for participation in this event. It is held from February 9-12, 2010, at the Konrad-Adenauer Stiftung in Berlin. American and German students work together to achieve cultural understanding, using Berlin as a case study. Student registration: € 80 covers the cost of lodging, meals and materials.
Future Educators Association
February 10-13, 2009 | Grades 9-12FEA Logo FEA is for students who are interested in a career in education. Leading educators from DoDDS-Europe and the United States present teaching and learning strategies in a seminar setting. FEA European Conference will be held from February 10-13, 2010, at the Edelweiss Lodge in Garmisch, Germany. Student registration: $315.00 covers lodging, meals and materials.
JROTC Drill Competition
Army: May 15, 2010,   Air Force and Navy: March 6, 2010 | Grades 9-12 Army JROTC Drill Competition Finals will be held at Ansbach (Katterbach Army Airfield) on May 15th. The cadets compete in two general categories of Regulation Drill and Exhibition Drill with judging in 7 different events. Air Force-Navy European Drill Finals will be held March 6, at Rhine Ordinance Barracks . There are no registration fees for these events.