Science Olympiad inspires STEM career and leadership

When William Noguera walks through Madison West High School during the Badger Invitational, he’s doing more than coordinating volunteers and answering questions from coaches. He’s leading one of the largest Science Olympiad events of its kind in Wisconsin—the same event that helped ignite his interest in STEM a decade ago.

William’s introduction to Science Olympiad and the vast world of STEM came early in life. He learned about the program when his older brother began competing in sixth grade. William was in fourth grade at the time and was able to attend a local tournament his brother was participating in. From that day forward, his curiosity grew into a commitment that would shape his education and career goals.

“I joined Science Olympiad as a middle school student and continued through high school. During that time, I participated in around 35 competitions and was fortunate to make it to nationals twice,” he says. “I studied geology a lot during those years, and now I’m combining it with my interest in research as a geological engineering major working with Professor Hiroki Sone. My goal is to become a college professor or researcher.”

With over 24 challenge opportunities at the state and national level that span test-taking and building events, Science Olympiad provides a supportive and engaging environment for students to pursue their interests and develop a broad foundation in STEM. Students learn to think critically, prioritize, collaborate, and problem-solve with limited time and resources—skills that will serve them well beyond the Olympiad.

William’s days as a competitor are behind him, but he remains active and engaged at the local and state level to give back to the STEM community. As director of the Badger Invitational at Madison West High School this year, he led a team of more than 150 volunteers to bring together over 1,000 students representing 70 teams from 33 schools. In addition to organizing the event, he’s also coaching the Madison West Science Olympiad team.

Organizing an event of this size is no small feat. William began securing resources and working through logistics more than six months in advance. At the same time, he maintained a full-time college course load and worked in the lab with Professor Sone. He estimates spending three to four hours each day working on the Badger Invitational in the weeks leading up to the event, but he values the experience and is grateful for the opportunity.

“It’s a lot of work but it’s rewarding to see so many people locally and across the country support STEM outreach and students. They do it not just because they can, but because they really care about seeing students succeed in STEM. It’s a unique community of passionate people that are uplifting the next generation.”

With hopes of graduate school, further research, and long-term involvement in STEM outreach, one thing remains constant for William: his commitment to supporting future scientists, engineers, and problem-solvers. From Olympiad competitor to tournament director, William Noguera’s journey is proof that when students have the chance to explore and grow through hands-on experience, the impact can last a lifetime.