2025-2026 Events

Science Olympiad events change every year. Click into the categories below to see the 23 events for the 2025-2026 school year.

STUDY

These events primarily focus on testing students' knowledge and understanding of various scientific topics. Participants typically work in pairs to take creative written tests. They spend a minimum of 30 minutes per week studying each topic. Click the arrow to the right to see this year's study topics.

Anatomy & Physiology

Dive into the intricacies of the human body, focusing on the cardiovascular, muscular, and nervous systems. It's like exploring the ultimate biological machine—yourself! This year's focus is the nervous system.

Codebusters

Become a master cryptographer by decoding encrypted messages using various ciphers. It's a thrilling challenge that makes you feel like a secret agent uncovering hidden secrets.

Disease Detectives

Step into the role of an epidemiologist and investigate disease outbreaks. Analyze data and solve medical mysteries to keep the public safe—just like real-life health heroes.

Dynamic Planet

Explore the forces that shape our planet, from plate tectonics to volcanic eruptions and earthquakes. Discover the dynamic processes that make Earth an ever-changing wonder. This year's focus is oceanography.

Entomology

Enter the fascinating world of insects, identifying various species and understanding their biology and ecology. Get up close and personal with nature's tiniest yet most diverse creatures.

Heredity

Learn all about what makes us who we are and how we pass on our genetic traits: covers genetics, DNA, molecular biology and gene expression!

Meteorology

Predict the weather and understand atmospheric phenomena. From sunny skies to stormy weather, discover what makes our climate tick and how meteorologists forecast the future.

Remote Sensing

Master everything about satellites and learn to interpret the data it gives us.

Rocks and Minerals

Become the ultimate rock jock: rocks will never look the same again!

Solar System

Explore our solar system and beyond, learn how planets are formed.

LAB

These events require students to conduct experiments or perform scientific tasks in a lab setting. They involve hands-on activities where students demonstrate their practical skills and ability to analyze results. Students will need to spend about an hour a week studying the materials until they are comfortable, and will then meet regularly to practice labs. Lab practices typically run about 1.5-2 hours. Click the arrow to the right to see this year's lab topics.

Crime Busters

Become a forensic scientist and solve a crime using chemistry techniques. Analyze evidence and piece together clues to catch the culprit, just like in a real-life detective story.

Experimental Design

Unleash your inner scientist by designing and conducting experiments on the spot. Test your hypotheses and analyze data in a hands-on scientific challenge.

Metric Mastery

Hone your measurement skills and become proficient in the metric system. Convert units and take precise measurements in a variety of scientific contexts.

WIDI (Write It, Do It)

Put your communication skills to the test by writing instructions for building a structure, then see if a teammate can replicate it. It's a fun challenge that requires clear, precise instructions and teamwork.

HYBRID

These events combine elements of both study and lab activities. Participants may need to demonstrate their knowledge through written tests and also perform practical tasks. Students typically practice with partners for about 1 hour per week. Click the arrow to the right to see this year's hybrid topics.

Circuit Lab

Explore the fascinating principles circuity, electricity and magnetism.

Machines

Learn about load, efficiency and effort as well as potential and kinetic energy, then design a machine to compare mass ratios. Perfect for the budding engineer!

Potions & Poisons

Explore the chemistry of substances, their properties, reactions, and effects. It's a magical journey through the world of chemistry, where you'll mix potions and analyze poisons.

Water Quality

Ever wonder what makes freshwater "good"? Learn about aquatic chemistry, freshwater ecology and little bugs that can help or harm water environments. The use a salinometer for some hands on practice.

BUILD

In these events, students design, construct, and test devices or structures. These events emphasize engineering skills, creativity, and application of scientific principles. Building and testing builds takes a significant amount of time, but the timing is fluid and will depend on the student(s) involved. Students should plan to spend 30-50 hours on their build overall. Click the arrow to the right to see this year's build topics.

Boomilever

Build a cantilever, balancing tension and compression forces to maximize structural effciency. And then hang as much weight on it as it can hold...until it breaks! Highest load wins!

Helicopter

Construct rubber-powered helicopters and aim for the longest flight time. Experience the thrill of flight as you engineer a lightweight, efficient helicopter.

Hovercraft

Want to construct a self-propelled, air-levitated vehicle that moves down a track?

Mission Possible

Design and build a Rube Goldberg-like device to complete a specific task. It's an imaginative engineering challenge that turns simple tasks into complex, entertaining machines.

Scrambler

Build a vehicle to transport an egg as quickly as possible without breaking it. This race tests your engineering skills and creativity to keep the egg safe.

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