Registration for the Montana Science Olympiad state tournament will open in early October for middle and high school teams. The event is scheduled to take place on Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026, at Montana State University in Bozeman.
The Science Math Resource Center at Montana State University, part of the College of Education, Health and Human Development, organizes the annual competition. An online presentation for both new and returning coaches is set for Thursday, Oct. 2, from 4:15 to 5 p.m. This session will cover starting a team, event logistics, scoring procedures, and include advice from previous coaches about recruiting and preparing students. A recording of the presentation will be available on the Science Olympiad website at www.montana.edu/smrc/mtso/ for those unable to attend.
“The Science Olympiad is among the largest STEM competitions in Montana, with more than 1,000 students each year participating in events covering life sciences, chemistry, engineering and other topics. Schools register as a team, with individuals or pairs of students competing in various events. Students can earn medals in events. The school with the highest number of event points wins the state championship trophy and is eligible to compete in the national tournament, set for May 23, 2026, at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles.”
Organizers recommend that interested parties consult the “Getting Started” tab on the website www.montana.edu/smrc/stem-outreach/science-olympiad for information aimed especially at new coaches as well as details about the Oct. 2 kickoff meeting.
For additional questions or details about registration and participation requirements, organizers can be reached via email at mtscioly@montana.edu.
