Troy High School’s Science Olympiad teams showcased their skills at the MIT Science Olympiad Invitational on Jan. 25, with one of its groups, Team A, securing first place overall.
The invitational, held in person at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, is one of the most competitive Science Olympiad tournaments in the nation, attracting top teams from across the country, including nine of the top 10 from last year’s national finals.
Troy’s Team A edged out Mason High School from Ohio by just eight points to claim the championship, marking the school’s seventh team title in eight appearances at MIT.
A total of 71 teams competed in the same division, including Troy’s Team B, which placed 22nd. In all, more than 1,000 high school students participated in the invitational. Competing in a range of STEM-focused events — including air trajectory, anatomy and physiology, astronomy, forensics, and more — Troy’s Team A secured the top spot with strong performances across multiple disciplines.
Students earn a spot on the teams through a school competition and dedicate significant time to preparing for events. Led by Troy High School teachers Kurt Wahl, James Kirkpatrick and Justin Kim, the teams consist of two groups of 15 members each.
Wahl said the teams hold optional practices three times a week, refining their skills in engineering, life sciences and earth sciences. He added that MIT’s rigorous tests play to Troy’s strengths in high-level problem-solving and that the team, a 29-time national qualifier, is accustomed to competing at an elite level.
Reflecting on the experience
Senior Jacqueline Zhou, one of the team captains, described the invitational as both demanding and rewarding. She recalled a particularly memorable moment when she placed second in the fossils event, which required analyzing real specimens, including fossilized saber-toothed tiger fangs and mammoth molars.
“Being able to hold those fossils after studying them for so long was a full-circle moment,” Zhou said. “It reminded me of just how much time and effort I’ve put in over the past few years.”
Fellow team captain Ianna Lin, who specializes in engineering events, highlighted the intensity of competing at MIT, where many tests are designed by former Science Olympiad participants now attending top universities.
“We see some of the best teams in the nation at this competition,” Lin said. “It really pushes us to improve and teaches us how much we don’t know, which is crucial to our growth.”
The MIT Science Olympiad Invitational prides itself on being accessible to both new and seasoned competitors, providing a rigorous academic experience while fostering innovation and collaboration among students passionate about STEM.
Team captain Josephine Idanawang added that one of the most memorable moments was securing first place in forensics, one of her favorite events.
“This win was a culmination of all the preparation, practice and problem-solving that went into it,” she said. “Knowing that all the hard work paid off at such a prestigious tournament made the victory even more meaningful.”
Troy’s Science Olympiad teams are set to continue their season with regional and state competitions as they pursue a 14th national title.