Genius Olympiad: Science

GENIUS Science provides understanding and solutions to environmental problems using scientific knowledge. Students are expected to present a solution using scientific methods for a problem which fits in one of the following categories.

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Each GENIUS Science project can be prepared and presented by up to two students. Presentation of the models is highly encouraged, but not required. However, a research description paper (with data, graphics, photos, and drawings of the design concept) is required as part of the application and presentation.

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SCIENCE | Environmental Quality

• The category of Environmental Quality encompasses the study of assessing, analyzing, and providing solutions to the problems of environmental pollution-such as air, water, soil, and noise pollution- and their potential effects on the health of all organisms, including humans. The world around us changes all the time. How is our quality of life affected by the environment?
• GENIUS Olympiad seeks solutions to problems related to indoor and outdoor air quality; the health effects of air, water, soil, radiation, and noise pollution; pollution management (e.g., systems for early warning or control of polluting incidents); the measurement of pollution; waste water treatment and remediation; solid waste treatment and remediation; the effects of radiation; and more.

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SCIENCE | Ecology and Biodiversity

• The category of Ecology and Biodiversity encompasses the study of plant and animal populations, plant and animal communities, the network of relations among organisms. How do organisms relate to their environment and food sources, at both large and small scales?
• GENIUS Olympiad seeks solutions to problems related to the movement of food, resources, and energy through living communities; the assessment of the value of the local ecosystems; the effects of populations on ecosystems (e.g., excessive fishing, excessive farming); the destruction of habitat and its effects on the health of living organisms, including humans; genetic pollution and hybridization and their effects on food security and biodiversity; the effects of climate change on biodiversity; the distribution and abundance of organisms; and more.

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SCIENCE | Resource and Energy

• The category of Resources and Energy encompasses the study of energy sources, such as mineral, water, wood, coal, oil, gas, nuclear, wind, sun, and soil sources, including efforts to increase their efficiency in producing energy and to reduce the impact of their use on the environment. How do we use these resources? How can we do it better?
• GENIUS Olympiad seeks solutions to problems related to responsible use of non-renewable natural resources; efficient use of non-renewable natural sources (e.g., in energy and goods production); the contribution of non-renewable natural sources to global warming; the efficient use of renewable natural sources (e.g., in energy and goods production); soil degradation, erosion, and remediation; the efficient use of water resources, and more.

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SCIENCE | Human Ecology

• The category of Human Ecology encompasses the study of the relationship between humans and their natural, social, and built environments, the effects of environmental changes on human behavior, and the effects of human behavior on the environment. The world of humans is inextricably connected with the environment. How are human interactions changing over time? How are those changes related to the environment?
• GENIUS Olympiad seeks solutions to problems related to society and its knowledge about sustainability; socials changes that affect the environment; social justice in regard to food and water supplies; social justice in regard to access to education and quality of life; education about the environment and sustainability; the business and economy of sustainability; sustainable engineering and construction; society and energy usage; developing a sustainable low-waste society; social behavior involving recycling, reuse, and waste reduction programs; social views about environmental regulations, policies and programs; and more.

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SCIENCE | Innovation

• Innovation is defined as creating new or different tangible products or processes as a result of a novel idea or a method to make our lives better, healthier, and environmentally friendly.
• GENIUS Olympiad seeks engineering and design solutions for a specific use, such as new or different tools and equipment used in life, such as kitchens, schools, office space etc. to make process faster or more effective (reducing waste, etc), or more user friendly and healthier.

• The GENIUS Olympiad is open to all international and U.S. students studying in grades 8-12 (or the equivalent). 
• All students under 17 years old must attend the GENIUS Olympiad with an adult supervisor (a teacher, a parent, or a guardian).
• Minimum age requirement for student participants is 13.
• Each student may present only one project. In the case of being a finalist for multiple projects, the applicant must choose which project to present.

• March 1st, 2025: Application deadline for ALL individual/school/International Fair applications. 
• April 16th, 2025: Application deadline for affiliated US/EU Fairs Certificate Holders.
• May 1st, 2025: Participant registration deadline

• A science project can be prepared and submitted by up to two students
• The project description paper (research paper) is REQUIRED. All projects, including affiliated fair winners, must submit a full project description paper (research paper). Please follow the following template to create your research paper submission.
• The recommended maximum page limit for the research paper (project description) is 15 (Title and References pages are excluded in page limit), with acceptable font sizes 11 or 12 for Calibri or Arial font types and page margins one inch or more (2.5 cm) from each side.
• Projects without results will not be accepted.
• Your research project file name must be in English characters and should be less than 25 characters. The research paper must be submitted in ONLY PDF format with less than 5MB in size.
• Students should also (in addition to Research Paper) prepare and submit a QUAD paper for their research. This is optional but highly recommended.Here is the template for quad paper.

• Finalists will be announced March 26th, 2025