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WHAT IS THE MINNESOTA SCIENCE OLYMPIAD?

Minnesota Science Olympiad is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that has a mission to promote STEM education for students in Minnesota K-12 schools by engaging communities in the thrill, excitement and challenge of science, technology, engineering and math competition. Team competition is patterned after track tournaments with challenging and motivational events ranging from earth science through physics. Events range from hands-on labs to student built machines, from outdoor events to paper and pencil tests. There is also a balance between events requiring scientific knowledge and understanding, and others requiring process and application skills. Although some events require an individual from one team to compete against other individuals from other schools, most events require teamwork, group planning, and cooperation. The emphasis is on learning, participation, interaction, having fun and team spirit.

There are three divisions, an elementary school (Division A), a junior high/middle school (Division B) and a senior high/high school (Division C). Last year over 14,000 elementary and secondary teams from the United States and Canada competed in the Science Olympiad program. The Official National Science Olympiad Web Page can be viewed at http://www.soinc.org.

Schools compete with a team of up to 15 students. A school may have multiple teams (but multiple coaches are required). For Divisions B & C, there are two major tournaments: regionals and the state tournament. The top 30 teams from the regional tournaments around the state compete at the State Science Olympiad. The middle school state tournament will be held at St. Olaf College in Northfield and the high school state tournament will be held on the campus of Bethel University in St. Paul. The top team in the state advances to the National Science Olympiad held in May.

Click here to see the qualifications for teams to participate in the Science Olympiad.

The Minnesota Science Olympiad is supported by Bethel University, St. Olaf College, the University of Minnesota, Minnesota State University - Moorhead, Flint Hills Resources, Minnesota Professional Engineers Foundation, and many volunteers.

AWARDS

First, second, and third place medals will be given for each event at both the regional and state competitions. In addition, championship trophies will be awarded to the teams compiling the most total points during the state competition. The winning team (or top two teams if enough teams register) from each division at the State competition will be invited to the National Science Olympiad held in May at a different university each year.

REGISTRATION

Start the process by completing the online registration process (there is a link in the menu to the left). You will receive an email for you to use as the invoice for the registration fee. For Division A, the team fee is $50 per team. For Divisions B & C, the registration fee of $150 for the first team (15 students per school) covers both the national and state fees. The fee registers your team with the National Science Olympiad allowing you to advance to the state and national tournaments, covers the cost of awards, rule books, and helps cover costs for the Science Olympiad. You may enroll additional teams for $100 per team, however, the rules for multiple teams apply (click here to see multiple team rules). There will be at least four regional competitions which will select schools for the State Olympiad at each division. Each school competing will be asked to coordinate an event at the regional tournament. Please indicate on your team's registration form which subject(s) you teach to help us assign you a region tournament event in your area of expertise.