4 Filipino students reap top awards in int’l science competition

MANILA, Philippines—Four Filipino high school students made top rankings in an international student competition on the earth sciences this month, fetching medals for the Philippines in a battle among 26 nations.

Williard Joshua Jose of the Philippine Science High School took home a gold medal for his scores in the 5th International Earth Science Olympiad, a nine-day exam-type competition held this year in Modena, Italy.

Christoper Jan Landicho of the PSHS Bicol Region Campus and Charles Kevin Tiu of the St. Jude Catholic School in Manila won silver medals while John Allan Olesco of the Aquinas University Science High School won a bronze, the Department of Science and Technology said Thursday.

The Philippine team garnered top scores in both written and practical examinations in geology, meteorology, oceanography, terrestrial astronomy and environmental sciences during the competition in Italy, Europe’s first hosting of the annual event.

The two-layer test includes written exams, which “measure the participants’ knowledge and understanding of Earth science areas,” and practical exams “consists of tasks designed to assess participants’ abilities to carry out scientific investigations in earth science inquiries,” IESO said on its website.

The Philippines hosted the event in 2008, bringing young science aces from all over the world to Bicol.

“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,” said Filma Brawner, Director of DOST’s Science Education Institute.

“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 importantly, exposure to international competitions should translate into entry into science careers,” she said.

While making do with limited public education funds, the Department of Education this year released P330 million to acquire tools and equipment for science laboratories in some 435 public high schools across the country.

On DepEd’s shopping list are equipment for classes in integrated science, biology, chemistry and physics.

DepEd also established 100 new special science schools this year, doubling the number of elementary schools offering specialized science learning.

“The marching order is for us to continue to find ways to develop a new generation of science and technology-savvy graduates who will bring us to new levels of economic progress,” said Education Secretary Armin Luistro.

MANILA, Philippines—Four Filipino high school students made top rankings in an international student competition on the earth sciences this month, fetching medals for the Philippines in a battle among 26 nations.

Williard Joshua Jose of the Philippine Science High School took home a gold medal for his scores in the 5th International Earth Science Olympiad, a nine-day exam-type competition held this year in Modena, Italy.

Christoper Jan Landicho of the PSHS Bicol Region Campus and Charles Kevin Tiu of the St. Jude Catholic School in Manila won silver medals while John Allan Olesco of the Aquinas University Science High School won a bronze, the Department of Science and Technology said Thursday.

The Philippine team garnered top scores in both written and practical examinations in geology, meteorology, oceanography, terrestrial astronomy and environmental sciences during the competition in Italy, Europe’s first hosting of the annual event.

The two-layer test includes written exams, which “measure the participants’ knowledge and understanding of Earth science areas,” and practical exams “consists of tasks designed to assess participants’ abilities to carry out scientific investigations in earth science inquiries,” IESO said on its website.

The Philippines hosted the event in 2008, bringing young science aces from all over the world to Bicol.

“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,” said Filma Brawner, Director of DOST’s Science Education Institute.

“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 importantly, exposure to international competitions should translate into entry into science careers,” she said.

While making do with limited public education funds, the Department of Education this year released P330 million to acquire tools and equipment for science laboratories in some 435 public high schools across the country.

On DepEd’s shopping list are equipment for classes in integrated science, biology, chemistry and physics.

DepEd also established 100 new special science schools this year, doubling the number of elementary schools offering specialized science learning.

“The marching order is for us to continue to find ways to develop a new generation of science and technology-savvy graduates who will bring us to new levels of economic progress,” said Education Secretary Armin Luistro. –Tarra Quismundo, Philippine Daily Inquirer