By Janet Belval, CT State Director, CT Science Olympiad, UConn ECE Instructor at South Windsor High School
UConn Early College Experience was proud to host the 2026 Connecticut State Science Olympiad Competition. This premier annual event brought together some of the brightest young minds from across the state to showcase their scientific skills, problem-solving abilities, and teamwork. The day was filled with immense excitement, collaboration, and intense competition as these budding scientists left no stone unturned in their quest for victory.
Science Olympiad is a highly regarded competition that challenges students across a wide array of scientific disciplines, including biology, chemistry, physics, engineering, and more. With an impressive lineup of more than 23 distinct events, the participants were required to exhibit rigorous content knowledge, innovation, and analytical thinking. Over 50 dedicated Science Olympiad teams from around the state prepared for months leading up to the event, showcasing a remarkable commitment to excellence.
Tournament Champions & Highlights
The battle for the state title showed incredible depth this season, culminating in a spectacular repeat victory.
Division C (High School): South Windsor High School fiercely defended their title to emerge once again as the Division C State Winners. They will advance to proudly represent Connecticut at the National Tournament.
Igniting Curiosity and Inspiring the Future
Participating in Science Olympiad is far more than just a bid for medals. It is a profound opportunity for young minds to explore their passions and ignite a lifelong curiosity about the world around them. Teams are pushed to their limits in structural building and engineering events, and rigorous written examinations and hands-on experimental design.
Across the campus, the energy of discovery was undeniable. Visitors could witness everything from helicopters being flown to a high-stakes Forensic Crime Lab being run inside the Chemistry Building.
These are the exact hands-on, immersive experiences that create lasting memories for Connecticut students, actively inspiring them to step up and join the next generation of world-changing scientists. The overwhelming success of this year’s Connecticut Science Olympiad competition reflects the critical importance of cultivating scientific curiosity in our schools. This massive undertaking would simply not be possible without the foundational support of dedicated coaches, passionate parent and community volunteers, and the exceptional staff of the UConn ECE program.
Final Standings & Special Recognitions
C DIVISION
Gold – South Windsor High School
Silver – Avon High School
Bronze – Staples High School
4th place – Wilton High School
Best New Team – West Haven High School
