Dozens of middle school students from the Atlanta area will gather at Georgia State University this weekend to compete in the Division B Regional Tournament of the 2026 Science Olympiad. The event, hosted by the university’s College of Arts & Sciences on February 28, will feature teams from 14 schools participating in 22 STEM-focused events.
“This event not only fosters a passion for science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) among young learners, but also strengthens GSU’s commitment to STEM education outreach and community engagement,” said M. Shameer Abdeen, a lecturer in Georgia State’s Department of Physics & Astronomy. “By providing a platform for these students to showcase their knowledge and problem-solving skills, we aim to inspire the next generation of scientists, engineers and innovators.”
Participants will compete in disciplines including physics, chemistry, engineering, and Earth sciences. The top teams from this regional competition will advance to the state-level Science Olympiad at the University of Georgia in April. Success there could lead them to the national tournament at the University of Southern California.
The Science Olympiad has operated since 1984 and now includes over 6,700 teams nationwide competing in more than 450 tournaments each year across all states. Georgia State University has served as a host site for many years.
More than 100 volunteers—including faculty, staff, and students—are involved in organizing and running the regional tournament. After the day’s competitions conclude, awards will be presented at Student Center East Speaker’s Auditorium.
For additional information about the tournament or opportunities to volunteer, interested individuals can visit the official tournament website or access the volunteer signup page.
