USC hosts 2025 invitational Science Olympiad showcasing student innovation

More than 3,000 enthusiastic middle and high school students from more than 100 schools gathered on the USC University Park Campus on Saturday for the Southern California Science Olympiad’s 2025 USC Invitational. The Olympiad featured teams of up to 15 students competing in 23 science-based events.

Screams of joy reverberated in Bovard Auditorium as Sierra Vista Middle School from Irvine was announced as the winner of the middle school competition and Glen A. Wilson High School from Hacienda Heights claimed victory in the high school competition.

USC’s commitment to the Science Olympiad reflects its support of STEM-related programs for K-12 students, which help them envision careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

“When students show an early interest in STEM, it’s vital to foster that flame,” USC President Carol Folt said. “We had hundreds of students on campus who’d trained, prepared and studied diligently to meet the challenges of the Science Olympiad, and I know they’re going to do great things using the same skills and talents that were on display.”

Yannis C. Yortsos, dean of the USC Viterbi School of Engineering, reminded the students of the importance of scientists and engineers to the rebuilding efforts that will follow the recent wildfires.

“The vigor and excitement you all bring really showcases the best we all have to offer in the face of adversity and resilience,” Yortsos told the attendees. “The world needs, and the nation needs, science at its best.”

Science Olympiad: Overcoming wildfire challenges

One of the participating teams was from Pasadena Unified School District’s Sierra Madre Middle School. Because of the Eaton Fire, the team couldn’t prepare in the school’s classrooms, which were rendered uninhabitable by soot and ash. But the excitement of reuniting and collaborating in person helped the team push through. “This is the first time they’ve seen each other since the fires,” said Jackie Interiano, coach of the parent-volunteer-led Sierra Madre team. The team had to borrow science equipment from other schools to participate, she said.

“The Science Olympiad allows students to explore many different areas of science,” Interiano explained. “It prepares them to engage more fully with their school’s science curriculum and shows them the practical applications of what they’re learning.”

The Science Olympiad season begins in the fall, with various tournaments and events held throughout the academic year. It culminates in the spring state championship in April, where teams compete for the opportunity to represent California at the Science Olympiad National Tournament in May. USC will host the 2026 Science Olympiad National Tournament, a move that was made possible by the support of Folt, Yortsos and USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences interim Dean Moh El-Naggar.

“We’re honored to be able to host this competition next year,” Folt said. “It’s the culmination of so much work by these students, who take inspiration from the world around them and pursue their passion for science.”