Pinoy kid scientists win more medals

THE Philippines’ medal haul in the most prestigious Math and Science competitions in the world continues to soar with four high school students netting gold, silver and bronze medals in the recently concluded Fifth International Earth Science Olympiad (IESO).

Taking home honors for the Philippines from Modena, Italy were gold medallist Williard Joshua Jose of Philippine Science High School (PSHS) Main Campus in Quezon City (Metro Manila); silver medallists Christopher Jan Landicho of PSHS Bicol Region Campus and Charles Kevin Tiu of St. Jude Catholic School in Manila; and bronze medallist John Allan Olesco of Aquinas University Science High School in Manila. Jose won a silver medal in last year’s IESO held in Nigeria.

Prof. Miguel Cano of Bicol University and Dr. Marietta de Leon mentored the winning team. PSHS Main Campus Director Dr. Helen Caintic joined as an observer.

The IESO is the premiere international earth science competition for secondary school students 17 years old and younger and was held from September 5 to 14. It was the first time that the competition was held in Europe, specifically in Italy. The Philippines hosted the IESO in Bicol in 2008.

The competition covered areas like astronomy, geology and geophysics, atmospherics and meteorology.

Dr. Filma G. Brawner, Department of Science and Technology-Science Education Institute director, extended her congratulations to the team and prodded 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.

According to her, competitions like the IESO is a good venue for students to be competitive and for them 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 importantly, exposure to international competitions should translate into entry into science careers,” Brawner said.

She added that 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,” Brawner said.

Cano said that the team was extending its gratitude to Philex Mining Corp., Rapu Rapu Polymetallic Project, Geological Society of the Philippines, Hope Christian High School, Bureau of Mines and Geosciences, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Vibal Publishing House and APO Central Italy for making possible the trip of the team to the contest. –Francis Earl A. Cueto, Manila Times