APEGA - Science Olympics

The Opportunity

The APEGA Science Olympics are back! APEGA is seeking enthusiastic volunteers to share their passion for engineering and geoscience with students at the 2027 APEGA Science Olympics in Calgary. These events are great opportunities to foster a love for Engineering and Geoscience in students, promote your profession in the community, and network with other volunteers. 

Event Date

May 29^th, 2027

University of Calgary Olympic Oval

The Impact

APEGA’s Science Olympics events are a vital piece of inspiring the next generation of professional engineers, geoscientist and for introducing students to the exciting possibilities of a career in STEM. These events are a great opportunity to promote your profession in the community. By participating in the APEGA Science Olympics, volunteers challenge students to address real-world problems that require innovative solutions.

Volunteer Roles & Responsibilities

Event Assistants

• Assist with team sign in, t-shirt distribution, awards ceremony, set-up, clean up, and other general tasks.
• Porter students from team tables to testing stations.
• Interact with other volunteers, and depending on the assignment, students.
• Complete required online training independently before event day.
• Participation in set-up day is highly encouraged.

Judges

• Evaluate teams and complete scoring rubrics.
• Interact with students throughout the day, moving between testing stations and team tables.
• Use a device (tablet etc.) to complete rubrics.
• Attendance at in-person division training is required
• Participation in set-up day is highly encouraged.

Scoring Table

• Tabulate scores and prepare results for the awards ceremony using Excel spreadsheet.
• Ensure all scores are submitted and follow-up on missing scores.
• Work with APEGA staff to resolve scoring issues.
• Complete required online training independently before event day..
• Participation in set-up day is highly encouraged.

Challenge Managers

• Have a thorough understanding of all challenges and challenge testing set-ups within their division.
• Lead and support the Judges in their division.
• Ensure challenges and testing remain on schedule.
• Assign tasks and coordinate volunteers as needed.
• Answer Judge questions and clarify challenge procedures.
• Work with APEGA staff and other Challenge Managers to address issues that arise.
• Attend required challenge manager training, division training, set up day, and event day.
• Previous volunteer experience at a recent in-person APEGA Science Olympics is required.

Time Commitment

three-hour in-person or virtual training session, depending on the volunteer role is required

6.5-7.5 hours on event day is required

3-5 hours on set-up day is highly encouraged

Training

Judges are required to attend one three-hour in-person training session and review their challenge documents before the event.

Event Assistant and Scoring Table volunteers are required to watch the virtual training session and complete the short assessment before the event.

Challenge Managers are required to attend in-person challenge manager training (3 hours), and in-person division training (3 hours).

Volunteer Benefits

Required Qualifications

• Promote your profession and enhance the understanding of the work of engineers and geoscientists 
• Fulfil CPD requirements by adding your APEGA volunteering activities to your PACE plan
• Connect with other practicing members and university student members
• Earning hours towards APEGA Volunteer Service Awards
• Promote a love of engineering and geoscience to students (grades 1-12) and their families, show the fun side and practical applications of engineering and geoscience
• Involvement in a fun and rewarding experience

• Practicing or retired professional member, E.I.T., G.I.T., university student or applicant, in engineering or geoscience. Non-members with related experience in outreach, education, or STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) fields are encouraged to apply.
• Interest in promoting engineering, geoscience, technology, and related careers to students in K-12.