40 Years of Inspiring Students to Explore STEM: What Has Science Olympiad Learned?

In May 2024, Science Olympiad—the largest K–12 team Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) competitions in the United States—will celebrate the 40th Annual Science Olympiad National Tournament at Michigan State University, a goal that its founders, Dr. Gerard Putz, Sharon Putz, and Jack Cairns could never have imagined when they started the national program out of a basement office in Rochester, Michigan. From its humble beginnings, Science Olympiad grew to a community that now encompasses chapters in every state, more than 400 tournaments a year, 53 college alumni chapters, and a program that serves upwards of a million or more K–12 students annually.Keywords: Informal EducationAssessmentInterdisciplinaryTeaching Strategies Additional informationNotes on contributorsJohn F. LoehrJohn F. Loehr, PhD, is Vice President of STEM Education, Science Olympiad, in Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois; jfloehr@soinc.org.Jenny KopachJenny Kopach, is Chief Executive Officer and Senior Vice President of Marketing Communications, Science Olympiad, in Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois jkopach@soinc.org.