DemiDec
DemiDec Resources produces study materials for participants in the United States Academic Decathlon,[1] hosts the World Scholar's Cup,[2] and co-operates several study academies around the world. A private company, it was founded in 1994 by now-CEO[3] Daniel Berdichevsky.[4]
History
[edit]In the 1980s and early 1990s, the United States Academic Decathlon had few third-party companies that produced study materials for students, and individual teams had to do most of the research themselves.[5][6] After setting an individual scoring record in the 1993–94 season and winning the National Championship,[7] Berdichevsky along with teammate Andrew Salter decided to address this vacuum by creating study guides and practice examinations for the next season.[8][9]
Berdichevsky had been part of the Taft High School Academic Decathlon program in the 1992–93 season, but had felt "too scared of giving a speech" that year to compete.[8] The following year, he assumed the role of team captain and joined his teammates in winning the National Championship under the leadership of their coach Art Berchin.[7] The individual scoring record Berdichevsky set that year remained unbroken until 2008, when Isabel Salovaara of Whitney Young High School in Illinois earned 9,300 points, surpassing Berdichevsky's record by a small margin of three points.[10][11]
The study guides and resources Berdichevsky and Salter developed in their first year were limited, but enthusiasm for the venture was evidenced by the fact that it earned $20,000 in 5 months.[8][9][12] When their coach Berchin joined them the following year, DemiDec gained more stability and determined to continue the project.[8]
Within two years' time, the company had largely evolved into its current form, relying on "a network of former Decathletes, curriculum experts and experienced writers" to create a study course that includes both content and assessment materials and is known for its student-centered and engaging style.[8] The company annually releases a host of materials for Academic Decathlon competitors and coaches, including "Resource Guides," "Power Guides," "Cram Kits," flashcards,[3] quizzes, and sequenced examinations.[8] The materials are generally released in the summer after having been approved by "Beta testers," usually experienced Decathletes.[13][14]
World Scholar's Cup
[edit]In 2006, citing disappointment that the United States Academic Decathlon ended at just a national level, Berdichevsky created the global academic competition the World Scholar's Cup.
The World Scholar's Cup spans six subjects: science, history, literature, art/music, social studies, and a special area.[2] At the competition, students participate in four events that encompass all six subjects: a curriculum-based debate, an essay, a multiple-choice test, and the "Scholar's Bowl," a live tournament in which team members collaborate to answer questions.[2]
Teams consist of either two or three students and can represent their school, multiple schools, or even whole countries.[15] The culmination of the annual competition is held in one of the competing countries.[16][17] Besides DemiDec, companies that sponsor the World Scholar's Cup include FunnelBrain and iClicker.[18]
Study Academies
[edit]DemiDec also operates a number of academies in South Korea. Their programs prepare students in variety of subjects, with a special focus on SAT Preparation for Korean students interested in studying in America.[19][20][21]
References
[edit]- ^ "Academic Decathlon Curriculum by DemiDec". DemiDec Resources. Archived from the original on October 20, 2008. Retrieved June 6, 2009.
- ^ a b c "DemiDec Presents The World Scholar's Cup:". DemiDec Resources. Archived from the original on October 3, 2008. Retrieved June 6, 2009.
- ^ a b "FunnelBrain and DemiDec Partner to Bring Academic Decathlon Flashcards Online". Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC. Los Angeles, California: PRWeb. June 3, 2009. Archived from the original on June 6, 2009. Retrieved June 7, 2009.
- ^ "Meet the DemiDec Team". DemiDec Resources. Retrieved June 6, 2009.
- ^ Wolcott, Holly J. (February 7, 2000). "Simi High Advances to State Contest in Academic Decathlon; Education: Defending national champion Moorpark High places second at county level, but may compete further as a wild-card selection". Los Angeles Times. p. B9.
- ^ Hetzner, Amy (March 11, 2000). "Waukesha's Catholic Memorial makes it a four-peat in Academic Decathlon, School sets state record for points, looks forward to national competition". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
- ^ a b Goldman, Abigail (April 18, 1994). "Taft High Wins 2nd Academic Decathlon". Los Angeles Times. p. A1 (Metro). Archived from the original (fee required) on October 21, 2012. Retrieved September 29, 2008.
- ^ a b c d e f Berdichevsky, Daniel. "The DemiDec Story". Archived from the original on April 29, 2009. Retrieved June 7, 2009.
- ^ Lowrey, Brandon (February 8, 2009). "Students flex at Academic Decathlon QUIZ: Marshall takes top spot El Camino Real and Palisades tie for 2nd-place honors". Daily News. Los Angeles, California. Retrieved June 6, 2009.
- ^ Bakkalis, Anna (2008-04-28). "Moorpark team vies in Academic Decathlon". Ventura County Star. Archived from the original on 2008-08-29.
- ^ Guzman, Isaac (December 11, 1994). "Smart Money Ex-Academic Decathlon Champs Cashing In on Practice Exams". Los Angeles Times. pp. B1. Archived from the original on October 21, 2012. Retrieved June 7, 2009.
- ^ "Beta Test". Retrieved June 13, 2009.
- ^ Schaffer, Dean; Daniel Berdichevsky; Bunnie Hadsall. "Facebook: DemiDec Beta Testing 2009-2010". DemiDec, on Facebook. Retrieved June 13, 2009.
- ^ "The World Scholar's Cup". DemiDec Resources. World Scholar's Cup. Archived from the original on July 29, 2009. Retrieved June 7, 2009.
Students compete in teams of two or three.
- ^ Parker, Ray (April 20, 2009). "Mountain View students headed to academic world final". The Arizona Republic. Retrieved June 7, 2009.
- ^ Ringle, Hayley (May 5, 2008). "Q.C. board weighs Korean trip for scholars". East Valley Tribune. Archived from the original on May 5, 2008. Retrieved June 7, 2009.
- ^ "The World Scholar's Cup - Sponsors". DemiDec Resources. World Scholar's Cup. Archived from the original on April 13, 2009. Retrieved June 8, 2009.
- ^ "DemiDec partners with YBM in South Korea" (in Korean). YBM/Si-sa. September 18, 2007. Archived from the original on 2011-07-22. Retrieved June 7, 2009.
- ^ "데미덱 한국에 SAT TOEFL 전문 어학원 개원" (in Korean). YBM/Si-sa. December 28, 2007. Archived from the original on 2011-07-22. Retrieved June 7, 2009.
- ^ "demidec" (in Korean). DemiDec Resources. Archived from the original on July 28, 2009. Retrieved June 13, 2009.