
BattleSTEM

What is BattleSTEM?
BattleSTEM, formerly known as Science Olympics, has been inspiring students since 2009. This annual event provides high school students with an exciting opportunity to engage in STEM challenges that test their creativity, collaboration, and problem-solving skills. High school teams participate in a variety of engaging events across campus, testing their abilities and inspiring the next generation of scientists and engineers. We are expecting 1000+ local high school students to come and compete in over 20 different events across campus!
Why bring your students to BattleSTEM?
Teachers are encouraged to bring their students to compete as teams of four in BattleSTEM, a high-energy day of STEM challenges at the University of Guelph! Students will compete in engaging, hands-on events, connect with like-minded peers, and experience university life—all while putting their STEM skills to the test. Schools from across Southern Ontario will be their competition. Don’t miss this exciting opportunity to challenge your students and inspire their passion for STEM!

Event Information
Date: Thursday in May 2027 (TBA)
Location: University of Guelph Campus
Sample Event Day Schedule
8:30 a.m.: Registration and Welcome
9:00 – 9:45 a.m.: Round 1 (Approximately 20 different events run simultaneously)
10:00 – 10:45 a.m.: Round 2
11:00 – 11:45 a.m.: Round 3
12:00 – 12:45 p.m.: Round 4
1:00 – 1:45 p.m.: Round 5
2:00 p.m.: Awards Ceremony (this is a highlight of the day, and we encourage everyone to attend)
If you are an educator and would like to find out more, join our BattleSTEM mailing list.
2026 Winners List
Junior (Grade 9 and 10) Winners
| Event | 1st | 2nd | 3rd |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arboretum Pond Study | Kitchener-Waterloo C&VS | Centennial CVI | Richmond Hill |
| Best of BIOBlast | Kitchener-Waterloo C&VS | Richmond Hill | Riverside |
| Clean Water for a Sustainable World | Richmond Hill | Louise Arbour | Bishop Tonnos |
| Creative Encounters' Junior Engineering Challenge | Stouffville SS | St. Benedict | Humberview Secondary |
| Great Gryphon Race | Victoria Park | Cardinal Carter | St. James |
| Great Spy Race | Richmond Hill | Waterloo CI | Stouffville SS |
| Grow Your Knowledge: FARE Trivia | Goderich District | Centennial CVI | Richmond Hill |
| Let's Talk Science Scavenger Hunt | Victoria Park | Richmond Hill | Bishop Macdonell |
| Mathematical Masterminds | Brantford District | Birchmount Park | Kitchener-Waterloo C&VS |
| One Health Heroes | Stouffville SS | Goderich District | Louise Arbour |
| Periodic Tabletop Games | Resurrection | Richmond Hill | W.L. Mackenzie |
| Phurious Phowl Physics | Richmond Hill | UMEI Christian | Waterloo CI |
| Pulling Back the Curtain: A Race to Demystify AI | W.L. Mackenzie | Victoria Park | Stouffville SS |
| The Great Code Maze | Waterloo CI | Cardinal Carter | Victoria Park |
| The Hydrogeology Odyssey | Jacob Hespeler | Centennial CVI | Victoria Park |
Senior (Grade 11 and 12) Winners
| Event | 1st | 2nd | 3rd |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best of BIOBlast | Brantford District | John F. Ross | Waterloo CI |
| Chromatography of Analgesics | Riverside | Bishop Macdonell | Saint Marguerite d'Youville |
| Clean Water for a Sustainable World! | Riverside | St. Benedict | Saint Marguerite d'Youville |
| Creative Encounters' Engineering Challenge | Riverside | Brantford District | Waterloo CI |
| Data Science Showdown | Richmond Hill | Brantford District | Louise Arbour |
| Food Sensory Perception | Brantford District | Jacob Hespeler | Stouffville SS |
| Great Gryphon Race | St. Anne's | Brantford District | Victoria Park |
| Great Solar Hunt | Riverside | St. Jean de Brebeuf | Victoria Park |
| How to be a Statistical Detective! | Resurrection | Bishop Tonnos | St. James |
| Let's Talk Science Scavenger Hunt | John F. Ross | Our Lady of Lourdes | Riverside |
| Mathematical Masterminds | St. Paul Catholic SS | Victoria Park | Centennial CVI |
| One Health Heroes | Stouffville SS | Bishop Tonnos | Louise Arbour |
| Phurious Phowl Physics | Delhi District | St. Paul Catholic SS | Cardinal Carter |
| Trust Your Gut: Battle of the Microbiomes! | Kitchener-Waterloo C&VS | St. Michael | St. Anne's |
| Winter Road Maintenance Optimization Challenge | Delhi District | Jacob Hespeler | St. Thomas More |
| World of 3-D Printing | Kitchener-Waterloo C&VS | Delhi District | Waterloo CI |
Contact Us
For more information on BattleSTEM at the University of Guelph, please contact Bonnie Lasby or Jean Hein.

Bonnie Lasby
Program Counsellor

Jean Hein
Manager, Outreach
Thank you to our 2026 sponsors!

