2nd Annual STEM Trivia Challenge Returns to Ohio Schools

WTRF, October, 20, 2025

The Ohio Natural Energy Institute is teaming up with the Ohio Valley Athletic Conference for the second annual “OVAC High School STEM Trivia Challenge”. 

The challenge lets students answer as many STEM-related questions as they can in one minute all through a mobile or desktop app. Students can play the challenge as many times as they would like; the goal is to get the highest score possible in the designated time.

Some of the topics that will be covered in the challenge are math, science, geology, and about the oil and gas industry.

Last year, more than 650 students participated across 24 Ohio schools. 

The top-performing student wins a $1,500 scholarship, while the school with the highest participation rate earns a $1,500 STEM grant. 

Last year, a student from Martins Ferry won the $1,500 prize for an educational scholarship. The school with the highest participation rate was St. Clairsville where the school received a $1,500 scholarship to the STEM and Geology labs in the school.

Representatives from the Institute also visit schools in-person and virtually to explain the game and share how it connects to real-world energy careers. 

Organizers say it’s a great opportunity to show kids in high school the opportunities that are available to them in their home state.

“The jobs that are available right here in our own backyard. I think that’s the most important takeaway that we’re trying to get across to these young guys and gals is that, you know, you don’t have to move out of the state of Ohio. You can get a job in the oil and gas industry right here.” 

Bruce Tague, Executive Director, Ohio Natural Energy Institute

The trivia challenge is only available to those in the OVAC schools in Ohio at this time, and the challenge runs until April 17th of 2026. The winner of the scholarship and the school with the most participation rate will both be recognized and presented the scholarship at the OVAC banquet of champions next spring.

If interested in participating in the challenge, students are advised to ask their teachers or principal for more information about the app.

For more information about the Ohio Valley Energy Institute, click here. For information about the essential Ohio energy report, click here. If you are interested in other opportunities presented by the Ohio Natural Energy Institute, click here.

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