The Stevens Point population will swell this week as the 2022 state competition of Wisconsin Science Olympiad will be held April 22-23 at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.
More than 1,000 middle and high school students, 110 coaches plus educators and family members will be on the Stevens Point campus. Science Olympiad is the largest STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) competition in North America. This state tournament follows a series of regional competitions, and top winners advance to national competition.
An opening ceremony will be held at 4 p.m. Friday with a Parade of Schools in Marshfield Clinic Health System Champions Hall, UW-Stevens Point.
A UWSP Showcase Friday features workshops, campus tours and a variety of STEM activities led by UW-Stevens Point faculty, staff and students. Attendees can choose from habitat adventure and wildlife tracking in Schmeeckle Reserve, activities to explore light and matter, insect chemistry and hands-on learning with reptiles and amphibians among others.
On Saturday, 89 teams from schools across Wisconsin will compete in 23 events related to earth science, biology, chemistry, physics, forestry, engineering and other sciences. Among the competitive events are bridges, codebusters, crime busters, disease detectives, green generation, meteorology, ping pong parachute and robo cross.
“We’re honored to host the Wisconsin Science Olympiad State Tournament, and we wish all the teams the best of luck in this exciting competition. It’s a rare opportunity to have so many middle and high school students — future scientists, engineers, health and other professionals — taking advantage of the resources offered on the UW-Stevens Point campus,” said Chancellor Thomas Gibson.
The Stevens Point area is welcoming visitors to hotels, restaurants and retail businesses. Marten Machining, Inc., Stevens Point, and other businesses are sponsoring the event. More than 200 volunteers are assisting UW-Stevens Point Continuing Education in coordinating it.