Taiwan tops world at earth science competition
* Publication Date:09/28/2010
* Source: Taiwan Today
* By Grace Kuo
http://www.taiwantoday.tw/ct.asp?xItem=119612&ctNode=445
Taiwanese senior high school students pocketed three gold medals and one silver medal at the 2010 International Earth Science Olympiad in Yogyakarta, Indonesia Sept. 27.
The three gold winners are Yang Hung-yi of National Tainan First Senior High School, Huang Po-han of National Taichung First Senior High School and Chang Chih-chin of National Yilan Senior High School, while the silver winner is Huang’s schoolmate Lu Kun-lin. Yang and Huang ranked first and second among all competitors.
“The IESO examined students on geology, meteorology, oceanography and astronomy,” said Lin Pay-liam, an associate professor at National Central University and leader of the Taiwan team. “Yang received the world’s highest scores in meteorology and oceanography.”
According to the IESO, the competition consists of theoretical and practical examinations. “The theoretical examination is presented in a set of earth science problems, while the practical examination includes experimental tasks,” the IESO noted.
This year 67 students from 19 countries participated in the competition, with the organizers awarding 7 gold medals, 14 silver medals and 26 bronze medals.
The students’ achievements brought Taiwan the team championship. Taiwan has placed first for four straight years since the olympiad’s inception in 2007, accumulating 12 gold medals and four silver medals.
The gold and silver winners will be awarded NT$200,000 (US$6,452) and NT$100,000, respectively, and will be admitted to relevant university departments without examination, the Ministry of Education said.