About Science Olympiad

Science Olympiad comes in many shapes and sizes to fit all your needs. At the K-6 level, try an Elementary Science Olympiad (ESO) program, which can come in the form of a competitive tournament, a hands-on science Fun Day or an expert-filled Science Olympiad Fun Night. In grades 6-12, Science Olympiad functions much like a football or soccer team, requiring preparation, commitment, coaching and practice throughout the year. Each school-based team is allowed to bring 15 students who cross-train for a variety of events in their skill set, but some school clubs and boast more than 75 members, allowing for a rich apprentice and mentoring system for all involved.

Science Olympiad competitions are like academic track meets, consisting of a series of 23 team events in each division (Division B is middle school; Division C is high school). Each year, a portion of the events are rotated to reflect the ever-changing nature of genetics, earth science, chemistry, anatomy, physics, geology, mechanical engineering and technology. By combining events from all disciplines, Science Olympiad encourages a wide cross-section of students to get involved. Emphasis is placed on active, hands-on group participation. Through Science Olympiad, students, teachers, parents, principals and business leaders bond together and work toward a shared goal.

Teamwork is a required skill in most scientific careers today, and Science Olympiad encourages group learning by designing events that forge alliances. In Elevated Bridge, an engineering whiz and a kid from wood shop can become gold medalists. Similarly, a talented builder and a student with a good science vocabulary can excel in Write It Do It, one of Science Olympiad's most popular events.

The culmination of more than 240 regional and state tournaments is the Science Olympiad National Tournament, held at a different university every year. This rotating system gives kids a chance to visit new parts of the country, to tour colleges they might consider for their undergraduate studies, and provides a memorable experience to last a lifetime.

What Is New York State Science Olympiad

New York State Science Olympiad (NYSSO) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of science education in grades 5-12, increasing male, female and minority interest in science, creating a technologically literate workforce and providing recognition for outstanding achievement in science and technology. These goals are achieved by providing opportunities for teams of students to participate in 22 regional and state Science Olympiad tournaments across New York State. NYSSO also promotes the inclusion of Science Olympiad activities in classroom curricula and provides teacher training at seminars and an annual coaches workshop.