It’s the LAST day of Kick-Off Week, and we are saving the absolute best for last! Today is all about celebrating team spirit! Share how your team is prepping to take on the season and join in on the conversation using #NCSciOly27 #GoTeam #ScienceOlympiad

Recruitment

Help your students build, discover, and take home the gold! We are here to help you gear up for Science Olympiad recruitment meetings in early September. Below are resources to make it as easy as possible for you to assemble your dream team. Whether your students are natural-born builders, coding geniuses, or just love a good challenge, there is an event tailored for everyone. To help you spread the word around your school and spark interest, we have put together everything you need to get started.

💡 Quick Team Recruitment Tips:

• Host an interactive info night: Set up a live demo (like launching a mini-rocket or doing a quick chemistry experiment) to grab attention.
• Bring a friend: Encourage your returning members to bring one friend who loves science, engineering, or problem-solving.
• Pitch the perks: Remind potential members that it’s not just about winning medals, it’s about making lifelong friends, building standout resume skills, and having a blast!

Parent Involvement

It takes a village to build a championship team! From organizing tournament-day snacks to helping students test their engineering designs, parent support is one of the most powerful tools in a Science Olympiad coach’s toolkit. We’ve put together everything parents need to know to help your team succeed, from flexible volunteer opportunities to tournament logistics. Share our Parent Guide directly with your team’s families to get them plugged in and ready for the season!

Student/Participant Involvement

The Science Olympiad Companion for Students is the ultimate resource to guide middle and high school participants toward a successful tournament season. Written by an award-winning veteran coach, this handbook serves as a comprehensive tool in a competitor’s toolbox. It outlines how to efficiently plan, prepare, and stay motivated for upcoming competitions. Coaches, share this official student guide directly with your team families to get your competitors organized, hyped, and inspired!

Team Activities

Science Olympiad is a team sport, and a championship culture is built on camaraderie! Beyond the intense studying and device testing, some of the best team memories come from playing, creating, and laughing together. This resource is packed with engaging, low-stress team-building activities designed to keep your squad energized, bonded, and motivated all season long. Coaches, share these activity ideas with your captains and co-coaches to sprinkle some serious fun into your weekly practice routines!

🔍 Divisions A & B Scavenger Hunts – Take event prep to a whole new level with our fun team scavenger hunts.

🎮Division C Gimkit

Get Started:

🍁Fall Themed Fun

With tournament prep just kicking off, fall is the perfect time for team building to welcome new recruits and get parents plugged in early. Take a break from study binders and builds to being some festive and spooky fun to your team.

Pro Tip: Harris Teeter has dry ice available at most locations!

Other Team Spirit Activities

Keep the momentum going all season long with these additional team-building activities. These low-stress projects break up heavy test and build prep. They give your squad a chance to chat, laugh, and unlock their creative sides together.

Grab your supplies and try these hands-on team favorites:

• Event-Themed Bracelets: Bead custom friendship bracelets using your official tournament event names, team colors, or science puns.
• Binder Decorating Parties: Bust out the stickers and markers to personalize your official event study binders before competition day.
• T-Shirt Design Contest: Let students pitch artwork for this season’s official team shirt and vote on the winning look together.
• Sci Oly – Themed Valentines: Take a mid-winter break in February to print out nerdy science puns and swap cards with teammates to keep spirits high before regionals.

Spotify Playlist

Celebrate the kick-off of the NCSO season by listening to our Regionals playlist. It’s the perfect companion for studying, practicing and traveling to tournaments. Don’t see your favorite song? Email us your suggestion at ncscienceolympiad.ncsu.edu.

Share Photos of Your Team
Share how your team is prepping to take on the season and join in on the conversation using #NCSciOly25 #GoTeam #ScienceOlympiad.

Why NCSO Matters
Take a deep dive into a research study of the importance of Science Olympiad entitled, “Science Olympiad Is Why I’m Here”: the Influence of an Early STEM Program on College and Major Choice.