For the 15th consecutive year, Lindenwood University hosted the 2024 Science Olympiad Competitions for middle and high school student teams in February, offering students hands-on opportunities to immerse themselves in the world of science.

Celebrating its 40th year of existence, Science Olympiad Competitions are the premier team STEM competitions in the nation, providing a variety of science-based challenges to students in an educational setting.

Lindenwood hosted 28 teams across two tournaments that competed in 23 STEM-based events, including life, personal and social science; earth and space science; physical science and chemistry; technology and engineering; and inquiry and nature of science. Teams consisted of 15 students, and more than 400 combined middle and high school students were on campus for the competitions.

Four teams from each competition advanced to the state competition, held on April 6 in Springfield, Missouri.

The Science Olympiad Competitions were organized by Lindenwood Professor of Chemistry Dr. Darla Jia and Boeing Senior Program Manager and Lindenwood Alumnus Joey Koening. With the help of around 45 volunteers, including Lindenwood students, faculty, staff, alumni, and others, these competitions were a success. The competitions offered Lindenwood students hands-on opportunities to work with middle and high school students excited about different fields of science. Additionally, they shared their own first-hand knowledge and experiences with students that competed.

"Volunteering with Science Olympiad gave me the opportunity to connect with the local scientific community and witness students express their talent and passion for STEM," Lindenwood senior Nicolas Nedved said.

The overall experience brought back memories for Koening, who participated in Science Olympiad when he was in high school.

"It greatly impacted my love of science and engineering," he said.

Lindenwood will again host the Science Olympiad Competitions in 2025, which will serve as a springboard for prospective students interested in studying science in higher education.

"The competition would not be possible without support from the community," Jia said. "Without their assistance, this event would not happen. Their enthusiasm for this event makes it the success that is for everyone."