2,000 top K-12 students to compete in 42nd Science Olympiad National Tournament at USC

On May 22-23, more than 2,000 K-12 students from 120 teams from across the United States will arrive at USC to participate in the 42nd Annual Science Olympiad National Tournament, a competition that includes rigorous knowledge-based, lab and engineering events in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). Among them will be students from Okayama Asahi Senior High School, a Global Ambassador Team from Japan.

“At Science Olympiad, we’re developing future-ready students, with skills that are future-proof,” said Jenny Kopach, CEO of Science Olympiad and president and CEO of the Science Olympiad USA Foundation. “The world of science is changing at an increasingly rapid pace, but our competitors are prepared to meet the moment.”

One of the nation’s most prestigious team competitions, Science Olympiad includes topics touching every part of STEM, such as “Heredity,” “Forensics,” “Remote Sensing,” “Disease Detectives,” “Engineering CAD” and “Water Quality.” Hands-on and building events like “Hovercraft,” “Robot Tour,” “Electric Vehicle,” “Boomilever” and “Helicopter” will be also open to spectators for viewing. The students participating at the National Tournament consist of 120 teams, which have won their state contests, narrowing the field from a cohort of nearly 7,000 teams.

Spearheaded by USC student organization SciBAT, USC is both host and co-sponsor of the National Science Olympiad tournament. The event is presented in collaboration with the USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences and the USC Viterbi School of Engineering, both of which have played key roles as sponsors and members of the organizing committee.

“USC is proud to welcome the Science Olympiad and the exceptional students it brings together,” USC President Beong-Soo Kim said. “These students exemplify the curiosity, collaboration and commitment needed to advance scientific knowledge and address our society’s most complex challenges.”

The opening ceremony for the Science Olympiad is set for May 22 at 6:30 p.m.; the awards ceremony will take place on May 23 at 7:30 p.m. Both events will be held at the Galen Center and streamed live.

The opening ceremony keynote address will be delivered by James Bullock, dean of USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences. An accomplished astrophysicist, Bullock explores galaxy formation, dark matter and fundamental questions about the nature of the universe. He has served as chair of the Space Telescope Science Institute Council and chair of the James Webb Space Telescope Users Committee. Students will also hear remarks from the USC Viterbi School of Engineering Dean Yannis C. Yortsos.

USC will also host a STEM Expo at the Dr. Allen and Charlotte Ginsburg Human-Centered Computation Hall on Friday, May 22, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The event will feature hands-on activities, career exploration and college-going information from several university departments, Ward’s Science, TKS World, Empowerly, Prequel, Midnight Science Club and more. See the full list of events, schedules and activities here.

In advance of the tournament, five $10,000 Founders’ Scholarships will be 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 also partnering with the American Red Cross on its Smart to Be Good initiative, an effort to spur youth volunteerism, service and philanthropy. All funds raised during the drive will support ongoing community needs and honor the relief efforts of the Red Cross during the Eaton and Palisades fires.

Science Olympiad is supported nationally by the Science Olympiad USA Foundation, the University of Southern California, NASA’s Universe of Learning Astrophysics STEM Learning & Literacy Network, the Atwell Gives Foundation, the Avantor Foundation, Ward’s Science, the United States Air Force, the Cleveland-Cliffs Foundation, the Combined Federal Campaign, Google, Illinois Quantum & Microelectronics Park (IQMP), P33, International Motors, Ramboll, the Aerospace Corporation, the Amcor Cares Foundation, CDC, the Cambridge Centre for International Research (CCIR), CodeHS, the Discovery Education 3M Young Scientist Challenge, the Double Good Foundation, the IEEE Geoscience and Remote Sensing Society (GRSS), InGenius Prep, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the North American Association for Environmental Education, the National Free Flight Society, OnShape, Prequel, SkyCiv, Texas Instruments, TKS World, Empowerly, Investing in Communities, the MDRT Foundation, the Yale Young Global Scholars, 3D Molecular Designs, the Japan Science and Technology Agency, mHUB, the Midnight Science Club, MxD, the NBC Universal Foundation and the STEMConnector. Local supporting sponsors are University of Southern California, Hyundai and Jane Street.

About Science Olympiad

Science Olympiad is an Oak Brook-based, national non-profit organization founded in 1984 dedicated to improving the quality of K-12 STEM education, increasing interest and opportunity in science, creating a technologically literate workforce and providing recognition for outstanding achievement by both students and teachers.

About USC

Founded in 1880, the University of Southern California is one of the world’s leading academic research institutions with 23 schools, a multi-billion-dollar health enterprise, and a vast research and development engine. The university enrolls 46,000 highly accomplished undergraduate and graduate students and employees 4,600 faculty who are members of major national academies, MacArthur, Academy Award, and Pulitzer Prize winners, among many others. USC has a nationally recognized athletic program and a passionate global network of 500,000 living alumni - the Trojan Family. Located in the heart of Los Angeles, USC is a powerhouse of innovation and impact with a global reach.