Idaho State University Hosts 2026 Eastern Idaho Science Olympiad in Pocatello
Middle school students from across Pocatello and Chubbuck put their science and engineering skills to the test Sunday when Idaho State University welcomed competitors for the 2026 Eastern Idaho Science Olympiad. The day-long competition, held on the ISU campus in Pocatello, drew teams from five local middle schools eager to demonstrate months of preparation in a series of challenging STEM-focused events.
Students Tackle Hovercrafts, Rube Goldberg Machines, and More
The Eastern Idaho Science Olympiad, organized through ISU’s Department of Physics, featured a wide range of hands-on and knowledge-based challenges. Competitors faced events involving Rube Goldberg machines, hovercrafts, crime scene analysis, and additional disciplines that put both their theoretical knowledge and experimental abilities on display.
Each event awarded gold, silver, and bronze medals to students finishing in the top three. Beyond individual event recognition, the teams posting the highest composite scores across all competitions were honored with cash awards to support their schools’ science education programs — first place earned $200, second place $150, and third place $50. Those funds were provided through the generosity of the Kiwanis Club of Pocatello, a longtime civic organization with deep roots in the community.
Franklin Middle School captured the top overall team honors, claiming first place in the composite standings. Grace Lutheran Middle School finished second, and Pocatello Community Charter School rounded out the top three. The results reflected strong STEM preparation across multiple schools in the Pocatello and Chubbuck area.
ISU Faculty and Community Volunteers Make It Happen
The competition would not have been possible without a broad coalition of volunteers and donors. ISU’s Departments of Physics and Biological Sciences both contributed volunteers, joined by members of the Kiwanis Club of Pocatello, the Idaho STEM Ecosystem, and ISU alumni. Financial contributions from Don Wyckoff and Robert Richway helped cover the cost of materials and supplies used throughout the event.
Steve Shropshire, professor of physics at Idaho State University and a key organizer of the event, praised both the student competitors and the volunteer corps that made the day run smoothly.
“It was great to have so many future scientists and engineers on campus for the Eastern Idaho Science Olympiad,” Shropshire said in remarks released by ISU. “All of the participants were amazingly motivated and knowledgeable for their age. It was obvious that many of them spent a long time preparing for this competition.”
Shropshire also extended appreciation to those who gave their time to run the event. “Thank you to all of our volunteers for their hard work on the Eastern Idaho Science Olympiad,” he said. “They made this experience possible, and I cannot thank them enough.”
The Science Olympiad format, used in competitions nationwide, is designed to challenge students in ways that go beyond standard classroom instruction — rewarding teamwork, creative problem-solving, and applied scientific thinking. Events like hovercraft construction and Rube Goldberg machine design require students to work collaboratively under real-world constraints, mirroring the kind of engineering challenges they may encounter in future academic and professional settings.
ISU’s role as a host institution underscores the university’s ongoing commitment to STEM pipeline development in Southeast Idaho. By opening its campus to middle schoolers, the university gives younger students an early look at what collegiate science and engineering environments look like — a recruitment and inspiration opportunity that benefits the region’s long-term workforce development goals.
ISU has been a consistent presence in supporting K-12 STEM initiatives across Bannock County. The university’s Bengal athletic programs have also kept Pocatello in the regional spotlight this spring — Idaho State softball recently claimed the Big Sky regular season title, adding to a strong year for ISU athletics on the home campus.
What Comes Next
Students, parents, and educators interested in learning more about the Eastern Idaho Science Olympiad or future competitions can contact Professor Steve Shropshire directly at shrostev@isu.edu or by phone at (208) 282-2212. Details on potential regional or state-level Science Olympiad opportunities were not immediately available, but the strong local turnout signals continued interest in the competition format across Bannock County schools.