The Grand Valley State University Regional Math and Science Center (RMSC) is excited to announce the successful completion of its 39th year hosting a Michigan Science Olympiad (MSO) Regional Tournament.

The annual hosting of the Region 12 tournament is a privilege for the RMSC as it provides an opportunity to connect middle school and high school students to STEM experiences and business partners within our community. As always, we are extremely grateful to donors for enabling us to provide this event for the community. Our donors include Disher, Gentex, Haviland, NDIA, Webb, Grand Valley State University, and the MiSTEM Network. Several of these donors hosted exhibitor booths to expose students to STEM careers.

Exhibitors: Jennifer Warner (left, with Pridgeon and Clay) and Danielle Schneider (with Pridgeon and Clay, Women In Manufacturing - West Michigan Chapter Chair)

The 2023 Region 12 MSO tournament included 638 student competitors, from 52 teams and 40 different schools in the area. Students participated in events throughout the day that were centered around science, technology, engineering, and math. Students can participate in multiple events and work in groups with people from their school’s team. Each team is comprised of 15 students.

Teams compete in 23 events in each disivion. Some of the notable events from this year included Flight - where students competed to see what teams plane could stay in the air the longest, Crime Busters - where students use forensic science skills, and Solar System - where students compete with their intergalactic knowledge.

The day ended with an exciting awards ceremony where special guests, GVSU Provost Fatma Mili and Congresswoman Hillary Scholten, spoke to the students and helped award medals to teams.

After a day full of tough competition, 13 teams were granted invitations to the state tournament:
High school (Division C) teams-  Grand Haven High School, Michigan Aviation Academy, Hudsonville High School, Grace Christian Academy, Forest Hills Central High School, and Byron Center High School; and
Middle school (Division B) teams - Lakeshore Middle School, White Pines Middle School, Northern Hills, Riley St. Middle School, Chandler Woods, Plymouth Christian Jr. High, and Grace Christian Academy.
The State Science Olympiad tournament will be held on April 22 at Michigan State University.

This fun and educational day could not have been possible without our GVSU faculty and staff volunteering their time and expertise as event supervisors. Additionally, we would like to thank the over 200 GVSU faculty, staff, and undergraduate students who volunteered who helped make the event possible.

Science Olympiad

Founded in 1984, Science Olympiad is the premier team STEM competition in the nation, providing standards-based challenges to 6,000 teams at 425 tournaments in all 50 states. Visit the National Science Olympiad site for more information.

Region 12 includes teams from Kent, Ottawa, and Muskegon County.  Interested in starting a team for the 2023-2024 season?  Visit the MSO Region 12 website.

Michigan Science Olympiad is committed to supporting the hundreds of teams across the state. Visit the Michigan Science Olympiad website for more information.