Dual-Division STEM Excellence
Science Olympiad functions like an academic track meet across Mentor Public Schools. Spanning grades 6 through 12 across Memorial Middle School, Shore Middle School, and Mentor High School, our student scientists train and compete across 23 national scientific events per division.
Division B
Division C
The 23 Competition Events
Each division fields 23 unique STEM disciplines. Switch between High School (Division C) and Middle School (Division B) to explore specific event formats, study guidelines, and laboratory challenges.
Anatomy & Physiology
Muscular, integumentary, and cardiovascular systems anatomy, pathology, clinical diagnosis, and human physiological mechanics.
Botany
Plant physiology, cellular cytology, taxonomy, agricultural biotechnology, photomorphogenesis, and botanical pathology.
Designer Genes
Molecular genetics, DNA sequencing, CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing, genetic disorders, and biotechnology bioinformatics.
Disease Detectives
Epidemiological outbreak surveillance, statistical case-control studies, disease transmission vectors, and CDC protocols.
Water Quality
Freshwater and marine ecology, macroinvertebrate indicators, water chemistry testing, salinity, and wetland conservation.
Astronomy
Stellar astrophysics, spectroscopic binary calculations, galaxy morphology, variable stars, and cosmic distance ladders.
Dynamic Planet
Earth's cryosphere, glacial morphology, sea-level dynamics, polar ice core records, and global ocean-climate systems.
Remote Sensing
Satellite imagery analysis, multi-spectral sensor data interpretation, GIS raster analysis, and environmental monitoring.
Rocks & Minerals
Advanced mineral crystallography, optical petrology, rock classification (igneous, sedimentary, metamorphic), and formation.
Chemistry Lab
Physical equilibrium, reaction kinetics, quantitative wet-chemistry laboratory analysis, and thermodynamics calculations.
Circuit Lab
Direct and alternating current circuits, Kirchhoff's laws, capacitor-inductor networks, diodes, and breadboard testing.
Forensics
Qualitative chemical analysis of unknown powders, polymers, fibers, spectroscopy, chromatography, and crime deduction.
Hovercraft
Kinematic hovercraft air-cushion vehicle design, mass-airflow ratios, speed testing, and fluid dynamics theory test.
Protein Modeling
Computer visualization in Jmol/PyMOL, molecular 3D folding models, amino acid chemistry, and protein tertiary structures.
Thermodynamics
Constructing an insulated thermal calorimeter device, thermodynamic laws calculation, and precision temperature retention trials.
Boomilever
Engineered balsa and basswood cantilever truss tested to failure under a 15-kilogram load to maximize structural efficiency.
Electric Vehicle
Custom-built electric propulsion car with integrated electronic braking to stop accurately on an undisclosed target distance.
Mission Possible
Rube Goldberg mechanical-electrical chain reaction machine executing timed tasks with precision timing and energy transfers.
Wright Stuff
Rubber-powered indoor endurance monoplane designed and trimmed for maximum free-flight aloft duration in high-ceiling gymnasiums.
Codebusters
Advanced cryptanalysis ciphers: Aristocrat, Patristocrat, Xenocrypt, Baconian, Hill Cipher, RSA, and Pollux cryptograms.
Engineering CAD
3D parametric solid modeling in CAD, drafting orthographic engineering blueprints, tolerance design, and rapid prototyping.
Experimental Design
Design, conduct, statistically analyze, and write a complete controlled scientific laboratory experiment on-site using mystery items.
Ping Pong Parachute
Pneumatic bottle rocket deployment system engineered to deploy a parachute capsule and achieve maximum aloft descent time.
How Our Teams Are Structured
Mentor Public Schools organizes Science Olympiad across two distinct competitive divisions, providing a seamless STEM training pipeline from 6th grade through high school graduation.
Shore Middle School
Shore fields competitive 6th through 9th grade Olympians preparing for invitational, regional, and state tournament competition.
- 🏫 Campus: 5670 Hopkins Rd, Mentor
- 👨🏫 Head Coach: Mr. Bob Beatty
- 🔬 Joint Practices: Weekly training sessions at MHS
Memorial Middle School
Memorial fields two full tournament rosters of 15 students each plus alternates, empowering young scientists with hands-on STEM excellence.
- 🏫 Campus: 8979 Mentor Ave, Mentor
- 👨🏫 Advisors: Brian Sweigart & Scott Schwickerath
- 🥈 2026 Milestone: 2nd at NEON Regional • States at OSU
Mentor High School
Sophomores, juniors, and seniors representing Mentor High School across 23 national university-level events on Red and Gray rosters.
- 🏫 Campus: 6477 Center St, Mentor
- 👩🏫 Head Coach: Mrs. Michelle Pugh
- 🏆 Historic Record: 2017 State Champs • 20-Time State Finalists
Coaching & Leadership Staff
Dedicated faculty coaches, advisors, and elected student captains guiding both Division B and Division C across Mentor Public Schools.
Mrs. Michelle Pugh
Head Coach • Division C Mentor High SchoolDirecting the Mentor High School Division C program across all 23 events and organizing the annual Mentor Invitational.
Mr. Bob Beatty
Head Coach • Division B Shore Middle SchoolDirecting Shore Middle School Science Olympiad, organizing 6th–9th grade rosters, and coordinating weekly joint practices at MHS.
Brian Sweigart & Scott Schwickerath
Advisors • Division B Memorial Middle SchoolDirecting Memorial Middle School Science Olympiad, 2026 Regional Runners-Up, test preparation, engineering builds, and chaperone clearances.
Izzy G. & Elizabeth P.
Mentor High School LeadersElected student captains leading Mentor High School competitors across laboratory sessions, binder organization, event mentoring, and tournament team spirit.
Maria Schwickerath & Mason Wills
Memorial 9th Grade • 4th-Year CompetitorsVeteran 4th-year middle school competitors mentoring younger peers across test binders, build calibrations, and tournament preparation for the Ohio State Tournament.
Competition Handbook & FAQs
Essential gear rules, calculator classes, safety eye protection, and tournament preparation for Mentor competitors in Divisions B and C.
- Chemical & Wet-Lab Events (e.g. Chem Lab, Forensics, Crime Busters, Food Science, Water Quality): Require indirect-vent chemical splash goggles meeting ANSI Z87.1 with a D3 splash rating.
- Build & Mechanical Events (e.g. Boomilever, Scrambler, Hovercraft, Ping Pong Parachute): Require impact-rated safety glasses with side shields meeting ANSI Z87+.
- Class I (Basic): 4-function or basic scientific calculators (non-programmable).
- Class II (Scientific): Dedicated standalone scientific calculators (e.g. TI-30X IIS).
- Class III (Graphing): Graphing calculators (e.g. TI-84 Plus CE).
- Official Mentor Science Olympiad team shirt.
- Event binders, cheat sheets, labeled reference charts, and pencils/pens.
- Approved safety goggles and calculators for all your scheduled events.
- Packed lunch, refillable water bottle, and healthy snacks (plus concessions cash).
- Engineered build devices secured in protective travel containers.
- Read the event rules sheet to know what reference sheets and equipment are permitted.
- Review the team's shared event folder to familiarize yourself with teammate notes and binder tabs.
- Support your partner during testing through careful time management and question cross-checking. Every point earned counts toward team trophy standings!
District Test Bank & Practice Materials
Access shared invitational tests, answer keys, and scrimmage packets from Solon, Sylvania, Kenston, and Ohio state competitions.
History of Achievement
Celebrating competitive excellence across both Division B and Division C in regional, state, and national competition.
Memorial Middle School • 2026 Regional Runners-Up
Memorial took 2nd place at the NEON Regional on March 7, 2026, qualifying for the Ohio State Tournament at The Ohio State University on April 17 & 18, 2026!
Mentor High School Performance History
Every tournament Mentor High has competed in on Duosmium since 2002. The chart shows our best team at each tournament.
High School Competition Ledger
| Date | Tournament | Level | Team | Placement | Medals | Points | Highlights & Notes |
|---|
Mentor Science Olympiad
