MSO @ UMD

Build Workshops

Free, hands-on build workshops run by MSO officers, alumni, and our Build Committee to help your team prepare for competition season.

Cost
Free
Hours
9:00am – 3:00pm
Drop in
Arrive at any point during the day
Materials
Bring your own; we have limited supplies for modifications

Upcoming

Nov212026
UpcomingTentative date

Workshop Two

9:00am – 3:00pm University of Maryland, College Park

Structures, devices, and flight, plus an Onshape CAD session useful for any build or engineering CAD competitor. The full schedule will be sent out closer to the date.

  • BoomileverDiv B/C
  • Mission Possible
  • Wright StuffDiv C
  • CAD (Onshape)

Mission Possible will focus on breaking down the rules and brainstorming ideas. Teams are welcome to bring builds for guidance or testing; the prototyping time has been reallocated to the CAD workshop.

Sign up for Workshop Two(opens in a new tab)

What to expect

Event deep-dives

Presentations on the foundations behind each event, plus tips from Science Olympiad alumni.

Tournament-ready testing

Access to testing apparatuses, including the MSO Ping Pong launcher.

One-on-one mentoring

Guidance from former competitors, event supervisors, and Build Committee members as you build and test.

Design inspiration

Different strategies and designs for each event for teams to examine and learn from.

Past workshops

Oct242026
Completed

Workshop One

9:00am – 3:00pm University of Maryland, College Park

Our first build workshop of the season, focused on three flight and vehicle events.

  • Ping Pong Parachute
  • Hovercraft
  • Electric Vehicle
Day schedule
  1. 9:00amCheck-in + Ping Pong Parachute presentation
  2. 9:30amPing Pong Parachute build & test
  3. 11:45amLunch
  4. 12:45pmHovercraft & Electric Vehicle presentations
  5. 1:15pmHovercraft & EV build & test

Good to know

  • Schools and participants must provide their own transportation.
  • Lunch isn't provided, but we usually organize a group pizza order since few campus options are open.
  • We aim to accommodate every team; if we reach capacity we'll close the form and notify teams.