SOU Youth Programs
Academics & Competitions
Designed with a wide variety of academic pursuits in mind, Youth Programs offer opportunities to put your skills to the test throughout the year! You can earn college credit, display your oil painting, defend the answer to a mathematical problem, or articulate your dissenting opinion – the sky’s the limit!
College Credit
With a goal of saving time and money for local students, Southern Oregon University begin their dual credit programming in 1981. With three distinct pathways, SOU continues to offer high school students an affordable way to earn college credit.
Best of the Best
The Best of the Best Art Show gathers students from various schools in the southern Oregon region. The artists showcase their work in a competitive exhibition that annually travels between Ashland, Medford, and Grants Pass locations. SOU hosts students on the campus to engage in hands-on demonstrations to learn new techniques. Additionally, the student artists have an opportunity to connect with faculty members from the university’s Art department.
Brain Bowl
Since 1977, the Brain Bowl competitions provide a trivia style competition where teams of students from local schools compete to answer questions in timed rounds. At the end of the competition cycle, the winners vie for the championship title live on the televised Southern Oregon Broadcasting Public Service (SOBPS).
Southern Oregon Mathematics League
The Southern Oregon Mathematics League is a five-part math contest designed for local high school teams. Covering a range of mathematical topics, students accumulate points both individually and as part of their high school team. Teams vie to become the mathlete champions at the end of the year; however, the ultimate aim is to develop student’s interest in mathematics and confidence in the subject.
Scavenger Hunt
Commencing in 1982, the annual Scavenger Hunt offers a chance to engage in valuable research, teamwork, and face-to-face evaluations. Team responses are evaluated by fellow middle and high school participants, with a moderator’s guidance. With an opportunity to meet fellow students and participate in vibrant discussions, the Scavenger Hunt remains a highly engaged competition.
