Montana’s Science Olympiad champions will head to nationals

BOZEMAN - Corvallis Middle School and Hamilton High School will head to nationals after winning the state Science Olympiad tournament held Thursday, Feb. 19, at Montana State University. Both schools are repeat champions and attended nationals last year.

In May, the University of Southern California will host the national event, where students can win awards and cash scholarships. Last year, a team from Hamilton High School took home a gold medal in a building event - the first time a Montana team has ever placed first at nationals.

More than 70 middle and high school teams participated in Montana's 42nd Science Olympiad, putting their vehicles, helicopters and levers to the test against other schools. They competed in astronomy, meteorology, chemistry and other events while visiting MSU labs and classrooms to learn about topics ranging from honeybee health to microfabrication.  

Nearly 300 medals, ribbons and certificates went to individual event winners, and Science Olympiad team trophies went to:

Division B: Middle school

1. Corvallis Middle School.
2. Hamilton Middle School.
3. Helena Middle School.

Division B: Middle school, small schools division

1. Headwaters Academy, Bozeman.
2. Helena Area Christian Home Educators (HACHE).
3. Choteau Junior High.

Division C: High school

1. Hamilton High School.
2. Big Sky High School (Missoula).
3. Corvallis High School.

Division C: High school, small schools division

1. Choteau High School.
2. Ennis High School.
3. Roundup High School.

Since 1985, the Montana Science Olympiad state tournament has been hosted at MSU by the Science Math Resource Center in the Department of Education. It is one of the country's largest science, technology, engineering and math competitions, with more than 6,300 teams participating each year from all 50 states.

For more information, contact state tournament organizer Suzi Taylor at [email protected] or 406-994-2336.