2026–27 club overview
What is Science Olympiad?
Science Olympiad is a nonprofit organization that hosts academic competitions across life and social science, earth and space science, physical science, chemistry, technology and engineering, inquiry, and the nature of science. Competition progresses through Regional, State, and National levels.
Each school team has 15 students covering 23 events. Most events are completed by partners or groups of three.
Types of events
- Build
- Design, construct, test, and improve a device for a specific challenge, such as a bridge, helicopter, electrical sensor, or robot.
- Study
- Learn a subject deeply, prepare reference materials, and compete with a partner in areas such as physics, anatomy, geology, or chemistry.
- Hybrid and lab
- Combine theory with hands-on testing or laboratory work. Examples include Circuit Lab, Materials Science, and Thermodynamics.
Browse the current event directory
How competition works
- Each team of 15 students covers all 23 events.
- Each event has two or three students from the same team.
- Most study and hybrid events last 50 minutes.
- Build teams bring their completed device and required test logs.
- The top six schools at Regionals advance to State; the top school at State advances to Nationals.
- Westview also competes in virtual and in-person invitationals.
Community and expectations
Westview Science Olympiad is collaborative, hardworking, and dedicated. Members build long-term friendships while preparing for competition.
- Attend event practices and monthly meetings.
- Competitors should prepare for at least three events unless assigned otherwise.
- Attend Regionals and, if selected, State.
- Attend at least two invitationals.
- Submit reference sheets, devices, binders, and test logs for check-in when requested.
Coaching and volunteering
Students and parents may coach. Coaches should have relevant experience or be willing to learn, provide a tentative schedule and curriculum, and communicate with members and the board. Students may also coach Division A or B teams and can earn community-service hours.
Parent volunteers help coach events, proctor competitions, and supervise practices. Adults supervising without another cleared adult must have PUSD Level II Volunteer Clearance; Level I volunteers work with a Level II-cleared adult or advisor present.
Westview record
- 2013
- 2nd at Regionals
- 2014
- 1st at Regionals
- 2015
- 2nd at Regionals
- 2016
- 3rd at Regionals; 6th at State
- 2017
- 3rd at Regionals; 6th at State
- 2018
- 4th at Regionals
- 2019
- 4th at Regionals; 6th at State
- 2020
- 1st at Regionals
- 2021
- 2nd at Regionals
- 2022
- 2nd at Regionals
- 2023
- 4th at Regionals
- 2024
- 6th at Regionals
- 2025
- 3rd at Regionals
- 2026
- 3rd at Regionals; State qualifier with eight medals
Practice logistics
- Each event meets once a week for one to two hours.
- Coached events may include lectures, quizzes, practice tests, labs, build sessions, and study sessions.
- Events without a coach use leader-supported independent study.
- A Level II-cleared adult must be present at in-person meetings.
- Most practices are in person, though some may meet virtually.
- Event practices generally include six to twelve students.
Trial period and team selection
The 2026 trial period runs from September 14 through October 11. Coaches observe attitude, work ethic, performance, and attendance. Team selection and initial event assignments are announced October 18, with final registration due October 20.
Westview expects to form four to six teams, depending on capacity. Placement considers coach assessment, practice and invitational performance, attendance, preparation, tournament availability, prior experience, results, and flexibility across events. Rosters may change during the season.
Season dates
- Oct. 26–31
- LASSO Invitational at Westview
- February
- Triton Invitational at UC San Diego
- Feb./March
- Regional competition at the University of San Diego
- April
- State competition at Caltech for one team
- May/June
- End-of-season banquet
Potential travel competitions include MIT, UC Riverside, Golden Gate Science Olympiad at UC Berkeley, and Princeton. These are tentative.
Budget and dues
Club funds support Regional and State fees, invitational expenses, operating costs, event materials, study resources, team shirts, and competition food and drinks. Each selected member is encouraged to donate $150 after teams are formed. Financial concerns should never prevent participation; contact the club to discuss support.
Donations may be made by check to Westview Foundation with “Science Olympiad” and the student name in the memo, or online through the Westview Foundation Science Olympiad page. Company matching through Westview Foundation is encouraged.
Code of ethics
Students pledge honest competition, integrity, respect, sportsmanship, and courtesy toward competitors, event supervisors, and tournament personnel. Parents and spectators pledge to respect Science Olympiad rules and the Westview student handbook, encourage excellence and student independence, and respect event supervisors and judges.
Team member agreement
The season runs from September 2026 to April 2027. Students should read this agreement with a parent or guardian.
1. Membership
Membership is open to any Westview student; no experience is required. Members compete in three or four events on one of five teams and attend coach-led or independent practices with event partners.
2. Practice and attendance
Your event coach sets the practice schedule. Attendance matters during team formation, and communication matters too. If you cannot attend, tell your coach and partner beforehand.
3. Preparing on your own
- Read your event rules in full in the fall and again in January.
- Start your binder or reference sheet in the first month and keep improving it.
- Take timed practice tests.
- For build events, get a working device in the first month, improve it, and log every test.
- Stay in contact with your partner throughout the season.
4. Your event partner
Most events are scored as a pair. Once assignments are released, contact your partner, divide the topics early, agree on how you will communicate, and reply consistently.
5. Rosters
Coaches and the executive board set rosters for invitationals, Regionals, and State using in-house test and tryout results, invitational results, attendance, preparation, build readiness and documentation, and tournament availability. Placement is reviewed throughout the season and members may move between teams.
6. Invitationals
Review every tournament date with your family early and report conflicts to the executive board as soon as possible. Late conflicts can leave a team without coverage for an event.
7. Tournament day
- Arrive at the directed time with your schedule and room locations ready.
- Wear the team shirt, stay with the team, and coordinate with your partner.
- Be polite to and thank event supervisors and tournament volunteers.
8. Honesty
Do not cheat on in-house tests or at competitions. Members—not parents—build devices. Prohibited materials do not enter event rooms, and test content is not shared with anyone who has not taken the test. A violation may disqualify every Westview team and end the member's season.
9. How we treat each other
Mistreating teammates, competitors, coaches, volunteers, or host schools can end a member's season. So can abandoning a roster spot without communicating. The team will work with members on other challenges.
10. Communication of issues
Tell the club promptly when something conflicts with your commitment. Contact the executive board through Discord, email, or a direct message to a board member.
11. What members receive
- A calendar and practice schedule published in advance.
- A coach for every event and access to tests, slides, and past materials.
- A reply from the executive board within one school day.
- A direct explanation of roster decisions when requested.
- Materials and equipment ordered in time to be useful.
- The same respect toward every member on every team.
Signatures
The student signature confirms that the student has read and accepts the expectations, season commitment, and roster process. The parent or guardian signature confirms that they have reviewed the practice schedule, tournament dates, and travel involved and support the student's commitment.