SciYinz Squad Competitions

Who can participate in SciYinz Squad?

Students in grades 6–12 are invited to participate in SciYinz Squad Competitions.

What is the cost?

The registration fee to participate in each SciYinz Squad Competition is $100 per school, per day and checks should be made payable to “Carnegie Institute.” Payment should be remitted no later than two weeks prior to the competition date and addressed to:

Christie Orlosky, STEM Competitions Coordinator
Carnegie Science Center
1 Allegheny Ave.
Pittsburgh, PA 15212

SciYinz Squad registration fees will be waived for schools that are >40% Free and Reduced Lunch. Free and Reduced Lunch status should be denoted on official school and/or district letterhead and submitted to SciYinzSquad@CarnegieScienceCenter.org.

Why participate in SciYinz Squad?

Unlike traditional science competitions that require advanced preparation and time spent working on projects outside of the classroom, SciYinz Squad provides a simplified competition experience that allows teachers and students to focus on the science behind these learning opportunities as well as teambuilding.

All necessary program supplies, equipment, prompts, instructions, and support will be provided by Carnegie Science Center STEM Educators during each SciYinz Squad Competition. So, you and your students can focus on what is most important, having fun! And did we mention that there are prizes?

SciYinz Squad competitions are also an excellent way to incorporate Pennsylvania’s newly adopted Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). The three dimensions of learning are innately distributed within each competition. The NGSS provide students the encouragement to question, investigate, and draw their own inferences based on evidence. Through the NGSS, we are preparing future generations to be independent, responsible, and proactive thinkers before they experience life beyond the classroom.

SciYinz Squads come together throughout the school year to engage student competitions. No preparation is required, all materials are provided by the Science Center during the program. The following SciYinz Squad competitions are scheduled on-site at Carnegie Science Center this academic year:

• SOLD OUT! Chain Reaction: Middle Schoolers vs. High Schoolers – Oct. 26–27, 2023 (Grades 6–12) from 8 am–3 pm
  • Middle- and high-school students battle it out against each other as they design, build, test, and showcase complex contraptions capable of completing a simple task. The goal of this program is for students to explore simple machines and devices in greater depth.
• SOLD OUT! Judo-Bot Rumble – Dec. 7, 2023 (Grades 6–8) and Dec. 8, 2023 (Grades 9–12) from 8 am–3 pm
  • Get ready to rumble! Students will use the power of hydraulics and recyclable materials to design, build, and battle simple hydraulic judo robots. The goal of this program is for students to explore the concepts of force, balance, momentum, and robotics.
• SOLD OUT! Chain Reaction: Teachers vs. Students – Feb. 22–23, 2024 (Grades 6–12 and Teachers) from 8 am–3 pm
  • Students and teachers will battle it out against each other in the ultimate competition as they design, build, test, and showcase complex contraptions capable of completing a simple task. The goal of this program is for students to explore simple machines and devices in depth.
• SOLD OUT! Diorama-Rama – April 25, 2024 (Grades 6–8) and April 26, 2024 (Grades 9–12) from 8 am–3 pm
  • Break out those shoe boxes, it’s Diorama-Rama! Students will research, design, build, and showcase miniature museum-quality dioramas to a panel of Carnegie Museum’s own scientists, artists, and conservators. The goal of this program is for students to explore the ecosystems in depth and tell a scientifically accurate story.

This program is a part of the Center for STEM Education and Career Development. Learn more about our partners.