Science Olympiad Summer Workshops

For this Summer, Science Olympiad will be offering three professional development opportunities for coaches to get a start on the 2027 season - the Virtual Event Bootcamp, held online from July 7-9, the 4th Annual Build Clinic, held in-person in Naperville, Illinois, from July 15-17, and the brand new in-person Content Clinic, held in Napervilles, Illinois from July 13-14. 

Many Science Olympiad coaches at state and national tournaments attribute their team’s success to concepts learned at the Science Olympiad Summer Workshops. Learn more about these workshop opportunities below! 

Which Science Olympiad Summer Offering is Right for Me?

2027 Virtual Event Bootcamp

All Science Olympiad middle and high school teachers, coaches, Event Supervisors, tournament personnel and administrators are invited to attend the 2027 Science Olympiad Virtual Event Bootcamp in July 2026. The Virtual Event Bootcamp is designed for participants to learn about all the events in the 2027 competition as their schedules allow! This event is not for students.

Attendees will have early access to the 2027 Rules, as well as a library of pre-session videos outlining the events for the 2027 season. During live programming, participants have the ability to hear from and engage with Science Olympiad experts on the events! This mix of prerecorded and live, concurrent breakout sessions is designed to allow you to target the events, topics, and experiences that are most important to you while giving you the flexibility to learn on your own schedule. In addition, each day of Live programming will offer time to network with and learn from the Event Supervisors as well as other attendees. Your registration fee of $450 includes instructional videos on each event as well as 12 hours of live virtual instruction, a hard copy of the 2027 Science Olympiad Rules, a Science Olympiad gift, and access to Science Olympiad coaching and instructional resources.

Science Olympiad's partner the Cambridge Centre for International Research (CCIR) is once again offering a limited number of scholarships for Division C coaches that cover the registration costs for Virtual Event Bootcamp. Interested coaches can apply by completing this application by April 22, 2026.

2027 Science Olympiad Summer Content Clinic

Plan now to join to us at our newest in-person Summer learning experience the Science Olympiad Summer Content Clinic. This two-day workshop will be held at the Northern Illinois Conference Center in Naperville, Illinois in July 2026 on July 13-14. Like the Build Clinic, this workshop allows you to learn from and work with expert Event Supervisors as well as Dan Nichols and John Loehr from the National Office.

The Summer Content Clinic is an in-person, active workshop that lets you expand your knowledge of and how to coach the Core Knowledge and Lab events that comprise the 2027 season. During your 2 days of sessions you will tackle how to prepare students for these events, what resources are effective learning tools, and other questions and challenges related to the events. You will walk away with better insight into each event along with tangible activities to improve your team's performance. These sessions are designed to improve any school’s Science Olympiad program and help meet state core curriculum science benchmarks and standards. Each evening there will be optional networking opportunities to learn from and interact with fellow coaches, Event Supervisors, and other Science Olympiad experts. Registration includes the workshop, a hard copy of the 2027 Science Olympiad Rules, hands-on building materials, WiFi access, facilities fees, a Science Olympiad gift, 2 breakfasts (M, T) & 2 lunches (M, T). In addition, the fee includes registration for the Virtual Bootcamp which includes instructional videos on each event as well as 12 hours of live virtual instruction, and access to Science Olympiad coaching and instructional resources.This event is not for students.

Attendees can choose from any of the hotels in Naperville to book their accommodations. We will be using the Hampton Inn Chicago/Naperville as our Headquarters hotel for this event. Attendees interested in staying there can book their rooms here.

2027 Science Olympiad Summer Build Clinic

Plan now to join to us in-person at the Science Olympiad Summer Build Clinic. Held at the Northern Illinois Conference Center in Naperville, Illinois in July 2026 this 2 1/2 day workshop will allow you to learn from and build with expert Event Supervisors as well as Dan Nichols and John Loehr from the National Office.

The Summer Build Clinic is a hands-on, deep dive into new events for the 2027 season. During your 2 1/2 days of sessions you will have the opportunity to experience what it is like to create some of this seasons required Builds. You will walk away with not only tips and tricks on how to assemble the Builds but also key next steps to optimize them for competition. These activities are designed to improve any school’s Science Olympiad program and help meet state core curriculum science benchmarks and standards. Each evening there will be optional networking opportunities to learn from and interact with fellow coaches, Event Supervisors, and other Science Olympiad experts. Registration includes the workshop, a hard copy of the 2027 Science Olympiad Rules, hands-on building materials, WiFi access, facilities fees, a Science Olympiad gift, 3 breakfasts (W/TH/F) & 2 lunches (W, Th). In addition, the fee includes registration for the Virtual Bootcamp which includes instructional videos on each event as well as 12 hours of live virtual instruction, and access to Science Olympiad coaching and instructional resources.This event is not for students.

Attendees can choose from any of the hotels in Naperville to book their accommodations. We will be using the Hampton Inn Chicago/Naperville as our Headquarters hotel for this event. Attendees interested in staying there can book their rooms here.

Past attendees have said the following about our Summer workshops:

  • "This was my first institute and I loved it! The presenters were absolutely fabulous, and I enjoyed the hands-on activities and the discussions with other coaches."
  • "I loved the hands-on opportunities provided in the sessions. Some of the techniques were brand-new to me, so the personal practice and guidance were invaluable! I've gained many new resources and ideas for my own classroom as well as for my Science Olympiad students. I plan to return next year!"
  • "The human resources were the most helpful. I liked the enthusiastic and friendly participants; they were inspiring. I saw competitiveness, but it was in the spirit of bringing out the best in everyone. Thank you!"

Based on these quotes it’s easy to see why almost every Summer workshop attendee rated the experience as very good or excellent and comes away feeling as if their “batteries are recharged!” 

You will want to register early as prior in-person Summer workshops have sold out!

Educators are eligible to apply for Title 2 Teacher Quality program funds by contacting their school district science curriculum administrator.