The Michigan Science Olympiad at MSU

Science Olympiad is a nonprofit organization that aims to improve science education and increase student interest in science. It’s a statewide competition for middle and high school students in which the best of the regional teams compete in events testing teamwork and problem solving. There are 23 events in both middle school and high school that involve all areas of science, engineering, and technology. Learning teamwork and problem-solving in preparation for each of the events will comprise the backbone of the program’s success—and support today’s values in science education. NSCL scientists lend their varied expertise as event supervisors to a multitude of events, such as

• Mission Impossible (Rube Goldberg-type machines that convert various types of energies)
• Wright Stuff (hand-launched gliders)
• Write It/Do It (students must describe an object in writing and build it from the written description)
• Battery Buggy (students must build a vehicle that will go a certain distance in a certain time)
• Scrambler (students must construct a vehicle that can negotiate a barrier)

When: Regional competitions are in February or March. State competition is at MSU in April.

Requirements: Michigan is divided into 15 regions. Within each region, teams are formed at the local level. MSU’s College of Natural Science hosts the state competition.

Cost: Schools entering teams pay a membership fee of $140.

Sponsor: MSU's College of Natural Science hosts the state competition.

Website: www.michscioly.org

MSU contact: Barb Neureither ext phone: 517-432-2152 ext134.