Start a Team

ISO follows all national Science Olympiad policies with regards to Teams and Qualifications unless otherwise posted at illinoisolympiad.org.  Any deviations from these policies must be approved by the ISO Executive Board yearly.  To apply for a variance, please contact the ISO State Director.

Team Divisions
ISO currently has 3 division:
  • Division A (K-5)
  • Division B (6-8)
  • Division C (9-12)

How to Form a Team
Considering starting a team?
  1. Review the Tips and Advice provided by national Science Olympiad pertaining to Basic Advice, Organizing a Team, and Membership Benefits.
  2. Review the national Science Olympiad and ISO Policies carefully!
  3. Register your team with ISO.  This places your team (or teams) at a Regional Tournament to compete against other ISO teams in February or March.
  4. Register for and attend the Great Lakes Coaches' Clinic.  The clinic covers everything from new coaches and organizing a team to how to help your students in each of the events.  It is recommended that you bring somebody along with you to participate in the sessions since there are too many for one person to get to all of them.
  5. (For B & C divisions only) Attend an invitational tournament.  This is the best way for the kids to get the jitters out, see what a tournament will be like, and get some extra practice. These tournaments have an additional cost outside of the team membership fee.

The competitions are fun and exciting. In Division A, there are about 12 events happening throughout the day.  In Divisions B & C, there are 23 events for each division, so 46 total events happening throughout the day. Most events are run in Labs or classrooms and are hands on events (which do not allow spectators).  There are also building events that are open for the public to watch like Towers, Airplanes, Egg drop, etc. These are usually held outside or in Gyms.