January 2024

This newsletter contains news and information of interest to Montana Science Olympiad coaches - current, past and future. For questions, please contact the MSU Science Math Resource Center.

Students....learn about Experimental Design with event supervisor Dr. Mike Giroux on Jan. 17

Based on coach and student requests, we are launching a webinar series for students, so they can meet our state tournament Event Supervisors and learn more about how to prepare for competition!

Wednesday, Jan. 17 at 4pm - 4:30pm with

Experimental Design

Event Supervisor Mike Giroux

The presentation will also be recorded

Dr. Giroux is a long-time Science Olympiad volunteer and will share an overview of the Experimental Design event and tips for how to prepare and succeed on tournament day. This presentation is appropriate for both Division B and Division C competitors.

RSVP's are appreciated so we can collect questions ahead of time. You can submit specific question when you RSVP.

Is your team registered yet? It's not too late!

If you downloaded Science Olympiad rules and are preparing for the tournament, you should be registered.

Registration deadline is Feb. 3; you have until March 15 to pay your tournament fees.

Join us Jan. 16 for coach office hours at 4pm

New, veteran and prospective coaches are invited to join the Montana Science Olympiad staff online from 4pm to 5pm on Tuesday, Jan. 16 for monthly coaches' office hours. You can drop in anytime during the hour to ask questions about the upcoming season, get help with a particular situation, or just hang out with the Montana Science Olympiad staff.

Find the WebEx link on our School Teams and Coaches Page

If you have any questions, email mtscioly@montana.edu

Museum of the Rockies STEM Night is now open for registration

A Science Olympiad highlight for many teams is attending STEM Night at the Museum of the Rockies on the evening before the tournament. All teams and their coaches receive FREE admission to the museum, plus private access to all the exhibits, planetarium shows, etc. and, many STEM clubs and departments from Montana State University will be there to showcase the exciting work that they do.

Register for MoR STEM Night -- Thursday, April 18 from 5:30-8:30pm. Coaches, please register on behalf of your team rather than having individual team members RSVP.

Washington University hosts Div C online invitational Feb. 3 -

All are welcome to participate in the brand-new Division C WashU Invitational, which will be held on Feb. 3, 2024. The event is online with 36 teams, with plans to move it to an in-person 60-team tournament next year. More information can be found on www.washuscioly.com

Important dates and links

The 2024 state tournament is hosted at MSU on Friday, April 19, 2024.

STEM Fun Night will be hosted at the Museum of the Rockies on Thursday evening April 18, and is free to any registered Science Olympiad team.

Registration deadline is Feb. 3, 2024

Payment deadline is March 15, 2024

Montana events for both Division B and Division C are posted on the Science Olympiad website along with links to download this year's rules manuals.

We look forward to staying in touch throughout the year -- please contact us if you have any questions: mtscioly@montana.edu.

New to Science Olympiad? Check out our Getting Started page

Attention High School Teachers! Do you know a high school student interested in teaching in a rural community? MSU Rural Pathways Program is starting a Bridge to College initiative whereby current high school students are invited to be part of an online professional learning community called the Future Rural Educators' Club, led by Glendive Superintendent Stephen Schreibeis. The club will meet virtually 1-2 times per month and participation in the club enables students to apply for additional opportunities such as paid campus visits. If you have any questions, please contact Marcie Reuer at marcie.reuer@montana.edu.

Do you know an aspiring Science Olympiad coach or STEM teacher interested in cool opportunities? Please share this newsletter so they can join in. Or, they can subscribe at bit.ly/mtso-newsletter