Olympiad Brings Best of Massachusetts Middle School Science to Assumption for 22 Years Running
In 2004, after multiple years of the Massachusetts Science Olympiad for middle school students being hosted at Tufts University, it was time for a change—one that Professor of Chemistry Brian Niece and Assumption were ready to lead. In the 22 years since, thousands of middle schoolers have flocked to Salisbury Street to gain hands-on experience with the wonders of science.
The Science Olympiad is one of the largest K-12 STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) organizations in the United States. Students in all grades have competed in state-wide competitions for over 50 years, showcasing their skills in biology, chemistry, earth science, physics, and engineering.
Each competition hosts 23 events for students, who compete in teams of 15. At this year’s Olympiad at Assumption, 30 teams of students competed—the most to date.
“The goal is to fill a niche for the kids who are interested in science and want something more active and social,” Niece says. “For a lot of kids who aren’t necessarily into sports, this is that team-based thing.”
Events at the Olympiad range based on discipline, from written tests on subjects such as anatomy and physiology to building structural beams that can support loads of weight. Students compete in events, often in pairs, based on their teams’ and coaches’ discretion.
This year, with the help of Professor of Biology and Director of ASPIRE (Alumni-Student Partnerships in Reflective Engagement) David Crowley, and Dean of the D’Amour College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Lee Trepanier, more than a dozen Assumption alumni attended the Olympiad on March 7 as volunteers.
One volunteer, Jennifer Mazzone ’06, who is currently a Managing Scientist at Exponent, an engineering and scientific consulting firm, came back to campus to help future scientists.
“It’s my 20th year out of Assumption, and I’ve been thinking about our reunion, and there’s been chatter amongst my friends about coming back for it,” Mazzone said. “When Brian [Niece] reached out, I was thinking that I would love to come back to see what’s going on at the campus and to see faculty.
“My family and I are spending the night in Worcester, and my kids are going to come see the ceremony at the end, because they’re curious about it. It got me thinking about whether there is a group in our area that competes, because it would be fun to get them involved,” Mazzone continued.
At the conclusion of the day’s competition, students are awarded medals for each of the 23 events, along with the top three teams overall. The top team from the day—which this year was William Diamond Middle School in Lexington—will go on to compete at the 2026 National Science Olympiad Tournament at the University of Southern California in May.
Tom FitzGerald ’75, who was a biology major, was delighted to be back on campus to help with the Olympiad after returning to attend his 50th Class Reunion last June.
“It was wonderful,” he said. “Having spent four formative years at Assumption in the science field myself, this was a good opportunity for me to give back to the institution.
“The kids were so enthusiastic, especially when they received their awards with President Weiner there. It was heartwarming,” he continued.
He even got a surprise. Towards the end of the day, he ran into his former professor, Paul Mahon, emeritus professor of biology.
“He was my professor in 1971 for zoology—I hadn’t seen him in 55 years,” FitzGerald said. “That was a highlight for me.”
Both alumni say that if they are asked to help out at the event again next year, the answer will be a resounding “yes”.
“I’ll definitely do it again,” FitzGerald said. “I love the spirit of the community and the enthusiasm of the kids and even the parents. Brian [Niece] did a great job, and he’s a real tribute to Assumption.”