THE Philippines medal haul in the most prestigious math and science competitions in the world continues as four high-school students netted gold, silver and bronze medals in the recently concluded fifth International Earth Science Olympiad (IESO).Taking home the gold medal from the competition held in Modena, Italy, was Williard Joshua Jose of Philippine Science High School (PSHS) Main Campus.
Silver medalists were Christoper Jan Landicho of PSHS Bicol Region Campus and Charles Kevin Tiu of St. Jude Catholic School in Manila, and bronze medalist John Allan Olesco of Aquinas University Science High School. Jose won a silver medal in last year’s Olympiad held in Nigeria.
The winning team was mentored by Prof. Miguel Cano of Bicol University and Dr. Marietta de Leon. PSHS Main Campus Director Dr. Helen Caintic joined as an observer.
The IESO is the premier international earth science competition for secondary-school students 17 years old and below and was held from September 5 to 14. It was the first time that the competition was held in Europe and in Italy. The Philippines hosted the IESO in Bicol in 2008.
The competition covers areas such as astronomy, geology and geophysics, atmospherics and meteorology.
Director Dr. Filma Brawner of the Science Education Institute-Department of Science and Technology extended her congratulations to the team, prodding them to venture into science careers.
“The IESO is a good starting point for students to look at the earth from a different point of view and explore it. There is still so much more to be discovered and we are hopeful that the IESO winners will take the lead in looking for new information about the world we live in,” she said.
Brawner said contests, such as the IESO, is a good venue for students to be competitive and to excel in the fields they want to pursue.
“Competitions make pupils go beyond what they learn inside their classrooms. With time pressure incorporated in competitions, students are trained to work with grace under pressure. But, more important, exposure to international competitions should translate into entry into science careers,” she said.
Brawner said beyond the medals, math and science competitions also raise awareness of the public on how science affects lives and moves the country forward.
“The IESO is intended to raise student interest in and public awareness of earth science, to enhance earth science learning of students, and to identify talented and gifted students in earth science,” she said.
Cano added that the team also extends its gratitude to Philex Mining Corp., Rapu Rapu Polymetallic Project, Geological Society of the Philippines, Hope Christian High School, Mines and Geosciences Bureau, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Vibal Publishing House and APO Central Italy for making possible the trip of the team to the contest site.
