Registration opens in early October for middle and high school teams for theMontana Science Olympiad state tournament, which is scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026, at Montana State University.

The presentation will include information on the benefits and logistics of starting a team, how scoring works and events for the upcoming season. It will also include tips from past coaches on recruiting and preparation. A recording will be posted on the Science Olympiad website at www.montana.edu/smrc/mtso/ for those who are unable to attend.

The Science Olympiad is among the largest STEM competitions in Montana, with more than 1,000 students each year participating in events covering life sciences, chemistry, engineering and other topics. Schools register as a team, with individuals or pairs of students competing in various events. Students can earn medals in events.

The school with the highest number of event points wins the state championship trophy and is eligible to compete in the national tournament, set for May 23, 2026, at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles. For more information, email mtscioly@montana.edu or visit www.montana.edu/smrc/stem-outreach/science-olympiad. Organizers note the website’s “Getting Started” tab has lots of information, especially for new coaches, and includes more information on the Oct. 2 coaches’ kickoff meeting.