What is this Activity?

Science Olympiad is a national organization that hosts annual inter-school competitions on a regional, state, and national level. These competitions consist of 23 events in science that focus on specific topics within six fields of science: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Earth and Space Science, Inquiry, and Technology. At each competition, competitors work in pairs through a variety of topics and formats, from performing chemistry labs to flying simple constructed helicopters. To advance to higher levels of competition, a school must demonstrate its prowess in each of the six fields of science. To this end, the Stuyvesant Science Olympiad Team works to prepare its members not only to achieve prestige and medal places during competition but also to explore and discover more about their passions in the expansive niches of science. The organization is entirely student-operated; veterans of the competition teach new members how to compete in each of the 23 events weekly, and members compete and strive for success on one of Stuyvesant's yearly teams. Absolutely no prior experience or knowledge is required to join our club! Join our team and come with us on trips to Princeton, Harvard, Yale, Columbia, Brown, Cornell, UPenn and more, entering their classrooms and laboratories as scientists!

On what days does this Activity meet?

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday

What is the meeting schedule?

Stuyvesant Science Olympiad has meetings every weekday, with some meetings during weekends and breaks. All meetings are optional except for preparatory meetings leading up to competitions. The season typically ends in late March and meetings are primarily only held amongst leaders. During the summer, the club hosts recreational activities, and if meetings are necessary, they will be held virtually.

What does a typical meeting look like?

Meetings are different depending on the division a member is in. A member in the Biology, Chemistry, Earth and Space Science, Physics, or Inquiry division has the option to attend lessons from September to November. These lessons are hosted by veteran members from 3:45 PM to approximately 4:30 PM and cover material related to Science Olympiad events. These lessons culminate in a “Mock Trial,” which is a brief assessment of knowledge and is one of the factors considered in team selection. With competitions beginning in mid-November, captains will host division-wide meetings for competing team members. As competition approaches, these meetings turn into a “study hall,” where partners meet to collaborate and prepare for competition. The competition season officially ends in late March (or May if we qualify for nationals). A member in the Technology division has optional build sessions in the Innovation Lab every day. These build sessions are every day and conclude when the lab closes, which is usually 6:30 PM but can be as late as 9 PM. Members can choose when they want to attend and for how long. Build sessions are initially led by event leaders who guide new members, but eventually, members will gain their own sense of direction and can take on independent work. These build sessions center around Science Olympiad events.

How does this Activity appoint leaders?

There are around 14 student leadership positions in the team, with 1-2 captains for each of the 6 divisions and the Executive Board (President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary, Team Coordinator). Applications are released to existing members to fill in the roles of graduating leaders. Interviews are conducted, and new leaders are voted for by previous ones. Existing positions are held from year to year given that sufficient commitment is displayed. The Vice President is selected as a sophomore, learns management from the President during their junior year, and becomes President in their senior year. The Captains, Treasurers, Secretaries, and Team Coordinators are selected at any point in their Science Olympiad careers, given that they have shown leadership skills and mastery throughout the year. Should the case arise that members or fellow leaders of the team find that a leader is not performing their given duties correctly, the Executive Board should be notified. Upon validating the problem, the Executive Board will hold a vote with other leaders on whether to relieve the leader of interest of their duties. If at least two-thirds of the leaders vote in favor of removal, the leader will be relieved of their position immediately and irreversibly.

What makes this Activity unique?

Since 2004, Science Olympiad has been the largest outlet for Stuyvesant students to express their love and passion for science at Stuyvesant. StuyOly engages in competition in various events across many scientific disciplines, including Biology, Chemistry, Earth Science, Physics, Inquiry, and Technology - but the team is beyond just a mere union of students. Stuy SciOly is a family composed of unique and talented individuals, ranging from aspiring artists to future politicians, united by both the drive of competition and their emotional and personal struggles. From testing powders in the Advanced Chemistry Lab to guessing the number of licks it takes to get to the center of a lollipop; from racing cardboard kayaks laminated with packaging tape across the river to singing on a long bus ride up the snowy roads of upstate New York, the members of Science Olympiad have molded the club into a sanctuary from the hardships and obstacles that club members all share. While Science Olympiad provides members with an intense, immersive experience in science, strengthening their characters and inspiring persistence, it also serves as a powerful catalyst for their mental, social, and emotional development, creating memories and bonds that will last a lifetime. Many alum end up joining a collegiate Science Olympiad organization and help organize tournaments.