U-M Science Olympiad Invitational Showcases Young Scientists

Hundreds of middle and high schoolers from across the country participated in the 10th annual event.

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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The University of Michigan hosted its 10th annual Science Olympiad invitational on February 14, drawing hundreds of middle and high school students from across the country to compete in hands-on science, technology, engineering, and math challenges. The event allows participants to use the university's facilities and resources, as well as tests written by top prior Science Olympiad competitors, as they prepare for state and national competitions.

Why it matters

The U-M Science Olympiad invitational has grown significantly since its founding in 2017, now attracting teams from across the Midwest and even some from as far as California. The event provides a valuable opportunity for young scientists to challenge themselves, learn new skills, and experience the resources available at a top research university like the University of Michigan.

The details

At the invitational, students competed in a variety of events, including building electric vehicles, identifying microbiomes, and constructing balsa wood bridges to test their weight-bearing capacity. The event was organized by the U-M Science Olympiad (UMSO) club, which has also expanded to host the regional tournament for Michigan Region 9 in March.

  • The 10th annual U-M Science Olympiad invitational took place on February 14, 2026.
  • The Michigan Region 9 regional tournament organized by UMSO is scheduled for March 2026.

The players

Grace Lee

LSA junior and UMSO executive director.

Jonathan Hanson

Pioneer High School head coach and public policy lecturer.

Peter Wang

Engineering sophomore and member of UMSO's test evaluation team.

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What they’re saying

“There are events, like builds, where students make a contraption that we test. They're obviously given certain parameters, so they're scored on how well it works. One event that I feel like most people will be familiar with is bridges, where they use balsa wood to make a bridge and try to see how much weight it can withstand.”

— Grace Lee, UMSO executive director (The Michigan Daily)

“It's not just Michigan. We've got, like, the entire region, from Wisconsin to Ohio, Indiana, Pennsylvania and even some California teams this year. It's a big draw, and it brings people to campus, and they get to see the University of Michigan.”

— Jonathan Hanson, Pioneer High School head coach and public policy lecturer (The Michigan Daily)

“Seeing everyone have a great time and celebrating their success, celebrating their learning, I think ultimately that's the goal. That's the goal of this and why we run it. And yeah, just the atmosphere, the adrenaline, all of that is really incredible.”

— Peter Wang, Engineering sophomore and member of UMSO's test evaluation team (The Michigan Daily)

What’s next

The Michigan Region 9 regional tournament organized by UMSO is scheduled for March 2026, where teams from the region will compete to advance to the state and national Science Olympiad competitions.

The takeaway

The U-M Science Olympiad invitational has become a valuable resource for young scientists across the Midwest, providing them with access to top-notch facilities, resources, and mentorship as they pursue their passions in STEM fields. The event's growth and expansion demonstrate the strong interest and potential of the next generation of innovators.