UW-Madison CALS Invitational
In 2026, the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (CALS) at UW–Madison will proudly host our first UW–Madison Invitational for Science Olympiad. CALS is the ideal home for this event, offering a wide range of innovative majors—from biological sciences and environmental studies to food science, genetics, and biological systems engineering—that give students the chance to dive into real-world, hands-on learning every day. With a strong focus on research and experiential education, CALS provides students with the tools to tackle global challenges and spark discoveries, making it the perfect place to inspire future scientists and engineers through Science Olympiad.
UW-Madison CALS Invitational (Division B/C)
The College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (CALS) at UW–Madison is proud to host the UW-Madison CALS Invitational on our campus—home to groundbreaking research and innovative discovery. We are excited to welcome students who are passionate about STEM and eager to put their knowledge and creativity to the test. This inaugural invitational will be hosted in-person only on Saturday, February 21, 2026. We are inviting both Division B and Division C teams, with a 4 team maximum per school. Please fill out the registration form to get signed-up!
Check back here frequently for updates and information leading up to the event! Below are current resources to help plan your trip to Madison.
Questions? Please email: Kara Henderlight, kara.henderlight@wisc.edu
Date: Saturday, February 21, 2026
Location: UW-Madison Campus
Registration deadline: January 16,2026
Information & Resources
The UW-Madison Office of Youth Protection (OYP) serves as a support unit to campus, assisting schools, colleges, and divisions with providing safe and effective environments in a wide range of youth activities that take place on and off campus. UW-Madison, nor the College of Agricultural & Life Sciences, will take custodial responsibility or care of any minor participants while on campus. Prior to the event, you will be required to complete a Campus Visit Agreement (CVA). This will be in addition to any forms required by the Science Olympiad foundation. If the CVA has not been completed by February 21, 2026, you may forfeit your ability to participate in the invitational.
- UW Transportation Services manages campus lots, ramps, and visitor parking.
- Bus parking on campus is EXTREMELY limited. Day-of-parking for buses is not guaranteed.
- There are 4 oversized vehicle stalls on Linden Drive, outside the Stock Pavilion and 4 in Lot 45 (corner of Mills & W. Dayton).
- Alternatively, buses may drop off students and park off-campus within the City of Madison.
- You may reach out to the Special Events office at least 2 weeks in advance to arrange parking: (visitorparking@fpm.wisc.edu or 608-262-8683)
- Permits are required in most lots during regular hours (weekdays).
- Visitor parking (hourly) is available in many gated lots / ramps, and some surface lots.
- Rates (for visitors) in garages/ramped lots: $1 per 30 minutes for the first 3 hours; then $1 per hour thereafter; maximum about $15/day
- UW publishes a campus parking map showing lot numbering and zones, see their PDF map.
- About 20 parking lots on campus allow free parking from 4:30 p.m. to 7 a.m., Monday through Friday and all day Saturday and Sunday. These are the green lots located on the campus parking map.
- Visitors can use the ParkMobile payment system to pay for parking by phone (call in), on the Parkmobile website, or by using the mobile app. Coins are not accepted.
- While on campus, we recommend you utilize the free bus routes, which are 80, 81, 82 and 84, that operate daily, including late nights, weekends and UW recess. All buses are kneeling buses and are capable of transporting wheelchairs and other mobility equipment.
- Best Western Plus InnTowner Madison-2424 University Ave, Madison, WI 53726
- The Wisconsin Union Hotel at Union South-1308 W Dayton St, Madison, WI 53715
- Hampton Inn & Suites Madison Downtown-440 W. Johnson St, Madison, WI 53703
- DoubleTree by Hilton Madison Downtown-525 West Johnson St, Madison, WI 53703
Wisconsin Science Olympiad resources:
- Coaches handbook
- Student contract
- Science Olympiad videos
- And more!
Please ensure you have completed the required Wisconsin Science Olympiad permission slips/forms as listed on their website.
An additional form will be required to satisfy the UW-Madison Office of Youth Protection’s campus visit policies. This will be e-mailed to registered coaches prior to the event, and must be completed and turned in before February 21, 2026. Failure to do so may result in being barred from participation.
Coming soon!
During the Invitational, the CALS Ambassadors will be offering tours of our CALS campus for those with breaks in their schedule, or time to fill. If you are traveling from out of town, you can also schedule a tour for before or after the event. More details to come!
