1. Ask for help. Science Olympiad can be overwhelming, if you don’t have someone to bounce ideas off of, and to share the workload. Find another adult to assist you. Ask parents to coach events and bring snacks to practices.

2. Check out the NCSO website. There are many great resources here for coaches so take advantage of them.

Quick Resource Guide:

3. Attend the Coaches Conference.  The hands-on sessions for build and lab events are really helpful and you can meet other coaches to share ideas. Pre-recorded and live Zoom sessions are also included in the conference and are great ways to get more information about test events.

October 16-17, 2026 at McKimmon Center, NC State University

4. Let the kids do as much of the work as they can for their age. With guidance, students are very capable of setting up binders, gluing pasta bridges, and finding games to practice identifying rocks.

5. Emphasize the process, not just the end product. Everyone likes medals and trophies, but ultimately students are going to learn a lot of science while preparing for their events and will remember fun times working with teammates. Their Science Olympiad experiences might even spark a career path!

6. Show off the build event devices. Plan a time in December for all your build event teams to share their devices at practice. This lets you (and the rest of the team) see what has been completed so far and it builds excitement for tournaments which are still months away.

7. Keep in mind that tests will be challenging. Students should not expect to ace SO tests, but they should try their best. Remind them that they’re not trying to get an A; they’re trying to get more points than the other teams.

8. Become an expert on the rules. This applies to students too! The rules are the ultimate authority in Science Olympiad. Read them over and over. Read them again a month before the tournament and check the NCSO website for any clarifications or changes. Knowing the rules thoroughly helps you be a better advocate for your team.

Pro tip: Organization will help you and your your students. Organize materials and  give timelines or check-in dates to keep students on track and focused on the rules for their events.

9. Have fun! Tournament Day is exciting and stressful and is the culmination of all of your team’s hard work. Enjoy the moment and celebrate all the personal bests whether you earn medals and trophies or not.

Pro tip: Have lots of snacks to fuel the mind and body. Watch other teams, cheer each other on, and bring your SO spirit.

10. Contact the NCSO staff with questions or suggestions. Lisa, Jodi, and Lori are here to support you and your teams. Please feel free to contact us!

Pro tip: Take advantage of coach zoom office hours and connect with other coaches. Let’s make this an amazing year of Science Olympiad for everyone!