Stuyvesant’s Journey to Science Olympiad Nationals

Science Olympiad is a STEM competition featuring 23 different events divided into two categories. Study events focus on content knowledge and typically involve written examinations. Some of these events include Biology, Anatomy, Astronomy, Physiology, and Dynamic Planet. The build-and-tech event focuses on the engineering aspect of science, where students construct models that compete in various tasks such as Electric Vehicle, Robot Tour, Helicopter, Towers, Air Trajectory, and Bungee Jump. 

Throughout the year, the Stuyvesant Science Olympiad (SciOly) team competed in invitational tournaments at colleges such as Brown University and MIT before advancing to regionals and states—and ultimately qualifying for Nationals for the first time. A standout performance at Brown’s invitational showcased the team’s potential and set the tone for the rest of the season defined by sharpened focus and heightened momentum. This past season marked a major milestone: the team competed at Nationals, hosted this year at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Sixty high school teams competed at Nationals this year, with one to two teams from each state. The Stuyvesant SciOly team scored 22nd in the nation—a remarkable finish in their first appearance at Nationals. 

 Junior and Entomology event leader Ankea Cheuk noted that the team’s increased preparation paid off. “We were super prepared because of all the invitationals and the state competition. The Nationals tests were similar to what we had practiced—it was just that everyone there was more competitive,” she said. Cheuk added that this year, the team prepared more intensively with study-hall sessions before every invitational, which led to a stronger performance at each competition. 

Science classrooms and lab spaces became hubs of late-night study and device-testing as SciOly readied for Nationals.“Preparing for nationals meant stepping up our game. We spent more time fine-tuning devices, going through more rigorous test prep, and meeting more frequently. We also did extra review sessions to reinforce weak spots and coordinated closely to avoid overlapping responsibilities,” senior and Tech captain Kellen Yu said. Classrooms buzzed with students reviewing materials, taking notes, and reviewing packets late after school. Meanwhile, on the engineering side, members hauled towers and trajectory setups, logging trials and troubleshooting every problem. 

Reaching Nationals represented a milestone few on the team had anticipated. “The most challenging part of this season has definitely been staying motivated because we’ve never made it this far, so no one was expecting it,” Cheuk said. “I was ecstatic to go to Nationals, of course, but, you know, it was definitely a lot of work and a lot of extra preparation.”

For many members, balancing school work with SciOly preparation tested time management skills and endurance. “The most challenging part was balancing preparation for multiple events with schoolwork and other responsibilities. But the most rewarding part was seeing all that hard work pay off—especially when we qualified for Nationals. Knowing that I contributed to the team’s success made it all worth it,” Yu said. 

Despite the pressure, one of the key factors behind the team’s success was the strength of partnerships. These partnerships were essential since study events relied on two teammates to work effectively together. “Our teamwork and dedication were huge factors. Everyone was committed—not just to their own events, but to supporting each other. We shared resources, gave each other feedback, and pushed each other to improve. The sense of accountability and collaboration really made a difference,” Yu said. This collaborative spirit was evident at Nationals, with members flipping through review sheets, rehearsing build placements and making last-minute tweaks. It was in those moments that the team’s unity and preparation shone the greatest.

The student leaders and members of the SciOly team challenged themselves and worked hard to get to Nationals, with valuable support from Stuyvesant teachers, such as Advanced Chemistry Lab and Science and Society teacher Kristyn Pluchino. She first became involved with the team last season, when Assistant Principal of Chemistry Scott Thomas asked her to help prepare an event for the city championship. After learning more about the competition and the efforts students put into it, she continued to contribute and offer support wherever it was needed. Throughout the season, she assisted the team by preparing lab materials for practice sessions and helping newer members build lab techniques. She also regularly offered guidance, answered questions, and ensured lab spaces were ready so everything could run smoothly.

Seniors and SciOly Chemistry captains Judy Namkoong and Eve Lin took the lead in organizing practices and making sure everything ran smoothly. “They’d let me know what labs they wanted to run, and I’d make sure they were ready to go for practice,” Pluchino said. “The more experienced team members [were] eager to teach the newcomers. I helped by answering questions and working with some of the newer people on lab techniques, but the bulk of the preparation and practice is organized by the team members.”

The team’s first trip to Nationals presented a steep learning curve. “I think the biggest challenge during competitions is staying in the zone. The days are long, and competition can be intense. Many students are preparing for two to three events and they know only a couple of points will likely separate the top teams. Staying focused but also relaxed is an important skill to hone, [but], fortunately, Stuy students are very good at locking in,” Pluchino said. 

Stuyvesant performed impressively with standout finishes from senior Daniel Chen and Cheuk, who took first place in Entomology, as well as Lin and Namkoong, who placed third in Chemistry. “Of course, there is always some room for improvement, but I think we as a team now have a better idea of what it takes to compete at this level,” Pluchino said.

 At the end of the season, the Chemistry team gave her a heartfelt thank-you card and gifts. “I felt so appreciated and that I was truly part of the team. I got a little choked up! It’s genuinely been a pleasure to work with such talented students and outstanding young people,” Pluchino said.

As the historic season closes, the team looks ahead with renewed ambitions. The seniors, many of whom competed in multiple events while helping younger members, leave behind a legacy of persistence and leadership Their efforts set a high bar and clear path for the following years, inspired by their journey to Nationals this season. “Just the fact that Stuy was at Nationals for the first time in Science Olympiad history made us realize how valuable our time there was,” junior Shriyans Boddu said. With rising leaders, lessons learned, and renewed motivation, the team is already preparing for another season with a new standard for achievement.