The Start of the USSEO
United States Science Engineering Olympiad (USSEO) asks a different question: what problem is worth solving, and who is it for? That question doesn't have a technical answer alone. It requires stepping back before stepping into the build, and staying with the people a solution is meant to serve rather than the metrics that are easiest to optimize for.
USSEO was founded to change that.
Founded by Luminas inc, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, in partnership with NYU Tandon, USSEO challenges students to draw on engineering, design, ethics, and social science together, because AI and robotics are not neutral tools. Every design choice shapes who a system serves and how. Treating these as engineering challenges alone leaves out the half of the work that determines whether a solution is worth building in the first place.
That is the premise USSEO is built on: AI and robotics should expand what people are capable of, not replace the judgment, creativity, and care that only people bring. USSEO exists to train a generation of builders who see AI and robotics as tools for human capability, not replacements for human judgment.
USSEO's Academic Board and Academic Assistants work together to ensure the competition's fairness, rigor, and academic integrity. The board sets the standards, and the assistants help implement them through grading and review.
Academic Board
The United States Student Engineering Olympiad (USSEO) is led by an academic board composed of university professors and engineering experts. The board is responsible for shaping the competition framework, developing challenge content, and setting evaluation criteria to ensure consistency, fairness, and academic integrity throughout the Olympiad.
Academic Assistants
The Academic Assistants are made up of dedicated NYU alumni, teaching assistants, professors, and current students who support the Olympiad in meaningful ways. These contributors assist with grading submissions, developing challenge materials, refining scoring rubrics, and providing operational support throughout the competition. Their combined expertise and commitment help ensure that USSEO maintains high academic standards and delivers a fair, engaging, and educational experience for all participants.
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If you are interested in collaborating or wish to contribute to the experience, please reach out to explore ways to get involved
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