Science Olympiad Draws 60 Teams to Grand Valley for Regional Showdown

Grand Valley State University will welcome more than 50 middle and high school teams on March 21 for the Region 12 Science Olympiad competition. The event, held at the university’s Valley Campus in Allendale, will pit students from Kent, Ottawa and Muskegon counties against one another in 47 STEM challenges. Teams will compete in three types of events: building tasks that require quick design and construction, lab activities that test speed and skill on topics like anatomy or geology, and written tests covering a range of scientific subjects. The day starts at 8 a. m. and ends around 3 p. m. , with contests spread across campus sites.After the final event, an awards ceremony will take place at 4:30 p. m. in the Fieldhouse Arena, celebrating top performers who will move on to the state tournament on April 25. Between 2 p. m. and 4 p. m. , a STEM showcase will highlight career paths and opportunities, featuring local businesses and community partners. Grand Valley’s Regional Math and Science Center has organized the tournament, which is part of a national network that hosts 6 300 teams at 425 events across all states. The university has supported Science Olympiad for 42 years, aiming to inspire future scientists, engineers and innovators. Students from ten high schools and eight middle schools will qualify for the state competition, where they can continue to showcase their talents.