Jenny Kopach - Science Olympiad

Jennifer Kopach is the CEO and SVP of Marketing Communications at Science Olympiad, the nation's largest K-12 team STEM competition. She oversees operations and manages partnerships with leading businesses, government agencies, scientific associations, and higher education institutions who join Science Olympiad's mission of improving the STEM experience for students, families, and teachers. Jennifer works tirelessly to position Science Olympiad as a well-functioning nonprofit organization devoted to program service and excellence at 50 state chapters and 57 alumni chapters across the US. She is also the President and CEO of the Science Olympiad USA Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to carrying out the charitable, educational, and scientific purposes of Science Olympiad.

In this episode…

Science competitions often focus on individual achievements, leaving teamwork and interdisciplinary learning as secondary concerns. However, Science Olympiad takes a different approach, combining hands-on collaboration with real-world scientific challenges to prepare students for future STEM careers. How does this program inspire the talented problem solvers of tomorrow by transforming an after-school activity into a nationwide movement?

Jennifer Kopach, the driving force behind Science Olympiad, shares her journey from a PR and marketing professional to the CEO of a leading STEM competition organization. She recounts how Science Olympiad grew from her parents' basement endeavor into a nationwide initiative that fosters academic excellence and creates a robust community among students and educators. With a competition structure that allows students to specialize in diverse scientific fields while learning teamwork and problem-solving, they develop skills that translate into future careers in medicine, engineering, and research. Jennifer emphasizes the organization's role in shaping future scientists, highlighting its unique ability to offer students a broad choice of disciplines and the opportunity to compete and collaborate.

In this episode of the Mission Matters Podcast, Paul Feith interviews Jennifer Kopach, CEO and SVP of Marketing Communications at Science Olympiad, about the transformative power of Science Olympiad in STEM education. Jennifer discusses the organization's growth from a basement startup, the depth of educational opportunities it offers, how alumni chapters contribute to the ongoing passion for STEM and community service, and the impact of the Science Olympiad Foundation's grants on STEM research.