Nebraska Science Olympiad Leadership Committee

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Overall Goal of this Committee

The mission of this committee is to increase participation in Science Olympiad throughout Nebraska. This includes increasing the number of school teams, expanding the number of invitational or regional tournaments, boosting participation in the state tournament, and boosting the level of competition to promote further learning.

Now that we have a stronger foundation from last year’s committee, this year the committee will be organized into subcommittees to allow for more purposeful and focused work.

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Mission Statement

The Nebraska Science Olympiad is dedicated to fostering excitement for science through inclusive, accessible, and meaningful opportunities that empower all Nebraska students to explore, collaborate, and thrive in STEM.

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Committee Member Expectations

Term and Commitment
Members will serve a one-year term from August 2026 to April 2027. Participation in 3–5 virtual Zoom meetings during this period is expected. Meeting dates and times will be proposed in advance before asking for a formal commitment.

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Current Initiatives

• Research & Innovation:
  Explore strategies—both internal and external—to support the growth and sustainability of the Nebraska Science Olympiad community.

• Outreach & Promotion:
  Collaborate on initiatives to encourage the formation of new teams and increase overall engagement. Assist in identifying opportunities to offer workshops or programs to schools interested in developing their teams.

• Mentorship:
  Provide guidance and mentorship to new Science Olympiad coaches during the 2026 season as needed.

• Coaches Clinic:
  We plan to offer a coaches clinic at the STEM TRAIL Center at UNO again in teh fall of 2026. There is a significant need for experienced coaches to share the knowledge about their favoirte events.

• Tournament Growth:
  Assist with planning and logistics for at least one new regional tournament as well as support our current regional tournaments and the state tournament.

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Committee Composition

Our current committee includes coaches, event supervisors, tournament directors, and both the previous and current state director.

If you’re interested in serving on a subcommittee, mentoring new coaches, or sharing an idea for a new initiative, please contact the State Director.

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Thank You!
We sincerely thank everyone who has contributed their time and energy to help expand and enrich the Science Olympiad in Nebraska.

For more information or to express your interest in serving, please contact:
Deanna Johansen
State Director
Nebraska Science Olympiad