Get Started in Science Olympiad!
Are you a new or potential coach interested in participating in the Montana Science Olympiad? Do you need to garner school and community support to create a team? The Science Math Resource Center offers additional support to first year schools and coaches to help get oriented and succeed.
Montana Science Olympiad · A Brief History
Founded in 1984, Science Olympiad is the premier team STEM competition in the nation,
providing standards-based challengeto 6,000 teams at 425 tournaments in all 50 states.
Montana State University has hosted Science Olympiad since 1985, each year sending
a top middle school (Division B) and a top high school (Division C) team to represent
Montana at the National Science Olympiad.
Checklist for Starting a Team:
- National Science Olympiad Resources
- Fundraising Resources
- Garner Community Support - Coming Soon!
- Tournament Resources - Coming Soon!
- Coach Newsletter · Subscribe HERE for the latest news and important dates
National Science Olympiad Overview
National Science Olympiad CEO Jennifer Kopach gives an excellent overview of Science Olympiad and all its benefits for students. Listen to the podcast HERE
Visit the National Science Olympiad Website HERE.
Share this Video with parents, teachers, and administrators and feel the excitement of tournament day!
Montana: How (and Why) to Start a Science Olympiad Team
Learn the nuts and bolts of Montana Science Olympiad plus tips from SciOly coaches. Recorded on Nov. 6, 2024.Watch the presentation HERE
Fundraising Resources
The financial reality of forming a Science Olympiad team can be daunting. From travel, hotels, food, science kits, materials, and more; financial resources are a necessity for the successful formation of a team. Here are a few resources to get you started:
- Dr. John Loehr from the National Science Olympiad provides four fundraising strategies on this recorded webinar. Watch the recording HERE.
- Double Good is the Official Fundraiser for Science Olympiad. Learn more about Double Good HERE!
Veteran coaches, the MSU Science Olympiad Student Club members, and our staff can offer ideas for additional fundraising ideas. Email us and we'll help you get started!
General tips for getting started:
- Attend the Coaches' Kickoff, an online orientation for new and returning coaches, offered at the beginning of Science Olympiad season, typically early fall.
- Subscribe to the Coach Newsletter, offering a wealth of timely and important information as the season progresses.
- Download the current rules manual(s) from the National Science Olympiad site.
- Check the Montana Science Olympiad Events page to see which events are hosted in the Montana state tournament. Not every event at the national level is hosted at the Montana state tournament!
- Add the Montana Science Olympiad tournament date to your calendar · Febuary 2026 - date TBA
- Secure support from your school administrators (see letter below) and start recruiting students for your team.
- Register your team by the deadline, then submit payment by the payment deadline. (Forms and deadlines are on the School Teams and Coaches page)
(These are just the first few steps; the video includes many more tips for recruiting and preparing your students)
Letter of support for School Administrators
Need a letter of support to show your school leaders the value of Science Olympiad? Here is a sample letter you can print or download.
Coaches' Corner Newsletter
New, returning, and pending coaches will find vital information, deadlines, and resources in the Coaches' Corner Newsletter. Subscribe today! Encourage your team volunteers, parents and guardians; and any interested community member to subscribe and support your team!