Around 2,000 of the country’s sharpest young scientific minds will converge on the University of Nebraska–Lincoln campus for the 41st annual Science Olympiad National Tournament May 23-24.
The event brings together teams from around the country — and one international team — for competitions in a variety of STEM fields, from anatomy to meteorology to physics.
“The students who are really drawn to something like this put their all into it, like an Olympic athlete would, but it’s in their realm,” said Sue Ellen Pegg, one of the organizers and recruitment coordinator for the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources. “It’s so important for kids to know it’s OK to have a brain and it’s OK for you to use it. They can do amazing things with it.”
These students will spend two days on campus showing off their scientific knowledge and skill and seeing what Nebraska has to offer.
“This is the best opportunity for us to get some of the nation’s brightest students on campus,” said Derek McConnell, one of the organizers and Nebraska East Union operations manager.
Here’s a look at Nebraska’s involvement in the 2025 Science Olympiad.
121: Teams competing in the Science Olympiad. All 50 states will be represented.
23: Events in the competition. There are both middle school and high school levels of each event.
1,815: Approximate number of students participating in competitions. Each team has 15 members and teams can bring up to 6 alternates.
6,070: Miles to Lincoln from Tokyo, Japan, home of the team traveling the farthest distance.
3: Miles to campus from the Lincoln Children’s Zoo, which hosts the closest participating team.
450: Vehicles constructed by students for competition events.
52: Non-competition events. These include a swap meet, a flight clinic by the National Free Flight Society, a STEM Expo with presentations by industry professionals and a Starry Night Party at Branched Oak Observatory.
10: Years since Nebraska last hosted the Science Olympiad National Tournament.
15: Classroom buildings used for Science Olympiad events. Some participants will also stay in three residence halls.
14,000: Meals university staff will serve to participants, coaches and families.
$2.5 million to $3 million: Estimated economic impact to the Lincoln community, according to Visit Lincoln.
Organizers are still seeking volunteers to help with the 2025 Science Olympiad National Tournament. Learn more at https://nationalscienceolympiad2025.org/home/volunteers.
