What is the Maryland Science Olympiad (MSO)

The mission of Maryland Science Olympiad is dedicated to teamwork provided by fun science and technology competitions that build team skills and highlight the value that diversity brings to a team.

The Maryland Science Olympiad is a "hands-on" K-12 science program including rigorous academic interscholastic tournaments. Scientists and engineers from Maryland corporations, organizations, and universities oversee the 46 teamwork oriented tournament events. Tournament events are well-balanced between biology, earth science, chemistry, physics, and technology. Competitive opportunities may include various Invitational, Regional, and State-wide tournaments. Finalists of the Maryland State Science Olympiad Tournament hosted by the Johns Hopkins University Whiting School of Engineering are invited to participate in the National Science Olympiad tournament.

The Maryland Science Olympiad is managed through the partnership of Maryland science and technology organizations, the Maryland State Department of Education, and by Maryland Science Olympiad, Inc., a 501c(3) nonprofit organization (see board of directors link).

Maryland Science Olympiad seeks to improve the quality of science and technology education in all Maryland schools - and enhance the workforce for Maryland industry. The Maryland Science Olympiad provides a pathway for knowledge, understanding, vision, energy, and passion to flow from Maryland science and technology professionals to Maryland teachers and students. Maryland Science Olympiad provides professional development workshops, summer institutes, after school programs, and summer camps designed to prepare students, coaches, and volunteers to participate in tournaments.

Maryland Science Olympiad purposes:

• Teaching team skills and making science and technology fun.
• Ensuring all students have an equal opportunity to high quality science and technology education regardless of their ethnicity, household income, or geographic location.
• Motivating students to expand their knowledge and competence in science and technology and increase their insight into the investigative process by enabling them to "do" science through hands-on and inquiry-based exploration.
• Nurturing students' enthusiasm for science and technology.
• Getting students interested in pursuing science and science-related careers.
• Increasing community involvement in schools.
• Providing recognition for outstanding achievement for both students and teachers.

The Maryland Science Olympiad is affiliated with the National Science Olympiad organization. The challenging and motivating events of the Science Olympiad align with the National Science Education Standards. The events are designed to enhance and strengthen both science content and process skills. The National Science Education Standards hailed the Science Olympiad as an example that "illustrates the close relationship between teaching and assessment. The assessment tasks are developmentally appropriate for young children, including recognition of students' physical skills and cognitive abilities" (NRC, 1996, p.39).