Science Olympiad National Tournament to draw 2,000-plus to Nebraska U

More than 2,000 students, representing 120 teams from across the United States, will participate in the 41st Annual Science Olympiad National Tournament at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln May 23-24.

The competition includes rigorous knowledge-based, lab and engineering events in science, technology, engineering and math. Among the participants is a global ambassador team from Tokyo, Japan.

“We need a strong STEM workforce pipeline now more than ever,” said Jenny Kopach, CEO of Science Olympiad and president and CEO of the Science Olympiad USA Foundation. “Science Olympiad encourages students to pursue subjects they like best and develop future-ready skills like collaboration, resilience and intellectual curiosity.”

Science Olympiad includes topics touching every letter in STEM, with events such as Entomology, Potions and Poisons, Microbe Mission, Disease Detectives and Reach for the Stars. Hands-on and building events such as Air Trajectory, Robot Tour, Scrambler, Tower and Helicopter are open to spectators. Students at the national tournament won their state contests, narrowing the field from a cohort of nearly 7,000 teams. The opening and awards ceremonies will be streamed live from the Bob Devaney Sports Center at 6:30 p.m. May 23 and 7:30 p.m. May 24.

“As a land-grant university deeply committed to educating the next generation of leaders for communities in Nebraska and around the world, the University of Nebraska–Lincoln is honored to host the Science Olympiad National Tournament,” said Chancellor Rodney D. Bennett. “We are proud to welcome the brightest students in science to our campus. I am certain there will be many future Huskers among the group, who will be inspired by this experience and grow into the educators, researchers, entrepreneurs and innovators the world needs.”

Curt Tomasevicz, assistant professor of practice in biological systems engineering, U.S. Olympic gold medalist in bobsledding and Husker alumnus, will give the opening ceremony keynote address. Bennett will also deliver remarks.

The university will host a STEM Expo in Kiewit Hall, 1700 Vine St., from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 23 featuring hands-on activities, career exploration and college-going information from several university departments, CodeHS, Ward’s Science, InGenius Prep, Prequel, Midnight Science Club and more. For the full list of events, click here.

Before the tournament, five $10,000 Founders’ Scholarships were presented to outstanding high school seniors from the Science Olympiad USA Foundation. More about the scholarship and the founders — Gerard and Sharon Putz of Michigan and Jack Cairns of Delaware — can be found here. 

Science Olympiad is supported nationally by the Science Olympiad USA Foundation, University of Nebraska–Lincoln, University of Southern California, NASA’s Universe of Learning Astrophysics STEM Learning and Literacy Network, Atwell Gives Foundation, Avantor Foundation, Ward’s Science, Ramboll, Cleveland-Cliffs Foundation, Corteva Agriscience, Combined Federal Campaign, Double Good Foundation, Google, ADM, Aerospace Corporation, Amcor Cares Foundation, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Cambridge Centre for International Research, CodeHS, Discovery Education 3M Young Scientist Challenge, InGenius Prep, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, North American Association for Environmental Education, National Free Flight Society, OnShape, Prequel, SkyCiv, Texas Instruments, TKS, University of Delaware, Catalent, Investing in Communities, Yale Young Global Scholars, Japan Science and Technology Agency, mHUB, Midnight Science Club, Million Women Mentors, MxD, NBC Universal Foundation and  STEMConnector.

Major local sponsors include the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and Visit Lincoln. Additional support through industry series workshops is provided by Downtown Lincoln, Runza, KPMG, Nebraska Public Power District and Hudl. UNL’s College of Journalism and Mass Communication, Jeffrey S. Raikes School of Computer Science and Management and the University Honors Program will showcase their facilities through open house experiences.