Middle and high school students from schools across northern Indiana gathered in Crown Point on January 17 for a Science Olympiad competition hosted at Taft Middle School, celebrating curiosity and academic excellence in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

Throughout the day, students worked in teams to tackle rigorous, hands-on challenges that required critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity. Science Olympiad spans a wide range of more than 20 disciplines, including biology, chemistry, physics, engineering, and earth science. In competitions, students have opportunities to apply classroom learning in real-world ways.

Science Olympiad is a nationally recognized STEM competition. Students prepare for months, often working outside the school day as part of their school’s club, to compete in team-based events that emphasize inquiry and experimentation. The program is designed to spark build a strong foundation in STEM subjects during a critical stage of student development.

Jamie Lies, a teacher at Taft Middle School and executive director of Indiana Science Olympiad, highlighted the impact the program has on students. “Science Olympiad gives students a place to be curious, to collaborate, and to challenge themselves academically,” said Lies. “It allows students to explore STEM hands-on while learning how to persevere through challenges, and build confidence in their abilities.”

The event also underscored the role of the community in supporting student opportunity. The competition received donations or in-kind sponsorships from Culvers, Peak Structures LLC, Sweeney Electric Company, Kankakee Valley REMC, Family Express, Penn Station Subs, and Bigby Coffee.

The competition concluded in an awards ceremony, with Taft Middle School students taking first place in Metric Mastery, second place in Codebusters, and third place in both Mission Possible and Potions & Poisons. Crown Point High School earned first place in the Dynamic Planet event.

You can find more photos from the event at this link.