Inspired by their days as competitors, Honors students Tehami Ammad and Lalith Roopesh
have transformed their high school love for Science Olympiad into a growing initiative
at the University of South Florida.
Upon arriving at USF and the Judy Genshaft Honors College, Ammad, a rising senior
dual majoring in biomedical sciences and philosophy, and Roopesh, a rising senior
majoring in biomedical sciences and 7-year BS/MD student, instantly recognized the opportunity to bring the STEM competition to the
Tampa Bay area. Driven by their shared childhood experience, they chartered the first-ever
Science Olympiad chapter at USF.
for K-12 students, where schools from across the nation compete at local, regional,
and state levels. Teams of 15 students participate in 23 events covering fields such
as engineering, anatomy and physiology, archaeology, and more. Beyond the competition,
Science Olympiad fosters creativity, problem-solving, and collaboration, while allowing
students to build friendships and travel.
“In high school, we were competitors, and it was a really fun process,” said Roopesh.
“We were dedicated. Nothing else would have gotten me up at 3 a.m. to get on a bus.”
Science Olympiad allowed Ammad and Roopesh to explore different STEM fields, collaborate
with peers, and enjoy the thrill of competition during their younger years. Now, the
two are seizing the opportunity to give back as alumni of the program.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS INTERESTED IN STEM
When Ammad (from Pennsylvania) and Roopesh (from Indiana) began their first year at the USF, they were surprised to find that the university didn’t already have a Science Olympiad chapter.
“In Florida, there’s surprisingly little in the way of invitationals,” said Ammad. “We thought it would be great for schools here to get the chance to compete before the regional tournaments, to gain that experience and start to love Science Olympiad the way we do.”
According to Roopesh and Ammad, invitationals also help connect students interested in STEM with opportunities to tour universities of interest.
“When it comes time to make a college decision, that’s one school the student has already toured and has a positive impression of. Because USF didn’t have a program, a lot of STEM-engaged students weren’t considering it,” added Roopesh.
Eager to provide local students greater access to Science Olympiad events like invitationals, as well as offering Science Olympiad alumni opportunities for continued involvement, Ammad and Roopesh founded , USF’s first Science Olympiad chapter.
OVERCOMING ORGANIZATIONAL OBSTACLES
Despite their excitement to inspire young students, getting Bulls Science Olympiad
up and running was more challenging than Roopesh and Ammad anticipated.
“We didn’t realize how hard it would be,” said Roopesh. “You take it for granted.
The smoother an invitational runs, the easier it seems. But that’s the hard part —
making the invitational as seamless as possible for the students.”
According to Ammad and Roopesh, a lot happens behind the scenes to conduct an invitational,
from writing tests and setting up events to checking in teams, coordinating with coaches
and volunteers, and more.
The duo started the organization with just the two of them and had to recruit USF
students to fill leadership roles on their executive board and find others to serve
as volunteers. Simultaneously, they had to establish a presence in the Tampa community
to attract participation in their event.
“The smaller you start, the less reach you have. It becomes an advertising game,”
said Roopesh.
Thankfully, through hard work, strategic planning, and fateful collaborations, they
navigated the long process of building the organization. This groundwork provided
them the momentum to focus on what was most important: opening their first invitational
to the public.
READY TO LAUNCH
In November 2022, Bulls Science Olympiad hosted their first invitational, which had
to be held virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite this challenge, the event
attracted over 1,000 students from more than 90 schools across 13 states.
“It shows how hungry these kids are for competition,” said Ammad.
The following spring, Ammad, Roopesh, and other Bulls Science Olympiad members volunteered
at regional and state competitions to prepare for their first in-person tournament.
Their dedication paid off when the group hosted its first in-person invitational on
the USF Tampa campus in 2023. Over 250 students attended the event, including 18 teams
from 10 schools across the state.
“That was a pretty big success. It ran really smoothly. We had great feedback from
coaches and students,” said Roopesh.
For Ammad and Roopesh, Science Olympiad holds significant value because of its collaborative
and interdisciplinary nature.
“I’ve seen people go into fields like astrophysics or geology — areas they never considered
before this experience,” said Ammad.
The ability to explore different facets of STEM has not only broadened their perspective
on the fields but also created an inclusive academic environment.
“No matter what you want to do, there is a place for you in Bulls Science Olympiad,”
added Roopesh.
Looking ahead, Ammad and Roopesh hope to continue growing the event at USF, elevating
its stature on the national stage. Their goal is to inspire more students from Tampa
and beyond to enjoy competition, explore STEM concepts, and build meaningful connections
through Bulls Science Olympiad.