- Details
Two outstanding scholars from the Philippine Science High School System have added to their school's legacy by clinching two prestigious bronze medals at the 19th International Geography Olympiad (iGeo), held in Bandung, Indonesia, from August 8 to 14, 2023.
This remarkable achievement once again underscores the global competitiveness of students from Pisay, showcasing their ability to shine on the international stage among their peers. Representing the Philippine Team were Andrei Nicolei Uy of PSHS-Central Visayas Campus and Ambrose James Torreon of PSHS-Caraga Region Campus, accompanied by their Team Leaders: Sir Russel Oddi of St. Jude Catholic School and Ms. Keith Salang of PSHS-Caraga Region Campus.
The International Geography Olympiad (iGeo) stands as the pinnacle and most esteemed competition in the realm of geography globally. The 19th International Geography Olympiad witnessed the participation of 46 countries, with 177 young geographers converging from around the world to test their geographic knowledge and skills.
The iGeo encompasses three challenging components: a Written Response Test (WRT), where participants tackle essays and visual data analysis; a Field Work Exercise (FWE), involving on-site observations and analysis; and a Multimedia Test (MMT), consisting of a comprehensive quiz on general geography knowledge.
The WRT for this year's iGeo encompassed diverse topics, including the Deterioration of the Aral Sea, Cargo and Shipping Statistics, Land Use and Land Cover Change of Burkina Faso, Sustainability of a Water-Sensitive City, Shorelines, and Skiing Tourism. The complexity of these topics demanded a wide range of skills, such as graph creation, landform sketching, and proposing solutions to urban planning and tourism challenges.
The FWE in iGeo took place in Ciburial Village, nestled within the mountainous outskirts of Bandung. It comprised two segments. The first part unfolded across three distinct locations: a park, an outcrop, and a restaurant known as the Skyline View deck. At the Skyline View deck, participants were tasked with mapping the area's land use systems and identifying potential issues and solutions, considering natural hazards. The Gua Belanda Cave, an outcrop, required participants to sketch the cave, evaluate its surroundings, and identify the type of sedimentary rock present. The last spot, the Taruha Juanda Park, is the place where we were tasked with mapping landmarks in the area and providing suggestions to improve the tourism accommodation in the area.
Notably, these three locations spanned approximately 2 kilometers from one another, necessitating a challenging 6 to 7-kilometer trek through the rugged terrain of Bandung's mountainous jungle. Along the way, participants cataloged buildings, assessed road conditions, and evaluated parking facilities to prepare for the second part of the FWE: area analysis. In this segment, participants received a map of the area and were tasked with identifying problems, proposing solutions, and outlining a vision to transform the area into a tourism-centric, economically vibrant, and ecologically friendly zone within Bandung.
The final but crucial element of iGeo is the MMT, a 40-item multiple-choice test encompassing a wide range of geography-related topics. Questions span from urban planning issues referenced in country songs to geological events in specific caves, from identifying roads based on drone shots to discerning soil types in the background of a Barbie movie scene. The MMT serves as a make-or-break challenge, capable of influencing rankings even if participants excel in the other components due to the complexity of the questions.
Additionally, iGeo includes a Poster competition, where teams from across the globe are tasked with creating posters aligned with the theme of "Creative City for Inclusive Urban Community." The Philippine team's submission highlighted the diverse creative cultures of the Philippines, showcasing the Malongs of Muslim Mindanao, indigenous tattoos of the Igorots, and the seashells of Capiz. Cebu City, designated as a UNESCO Creative City, was also featured for its vibrant, inclusive, and culturally rich lifestyle.
In conclusion, participation in iGeo has had a profound impact on participants, enriching their writing skills, decision-making abilities, critical thinking, physical endurance, observation skills, agility, geographic knowledge, and creative skills. iGeo stands as one of the most memorable Olympiads, offering the unique opportunity to apply geography in practical, real-world scenarios, particularly evident in the demanding Field Work Exercise component.
The Geographic Society of the University of the Philippines ❨UP GeogSoc❩ organized the selection and participation of the country to the iGEO. The UP GeogSoc and the Philippine Team extend its appreciation to Mr. Muhammad Humam Nabeel for supporting and helping the team during their stay in Bandung, Indonesia. The participation of the two PSHS campuses was supported by the Office of the Executive Director, PSHS System, the GPTA and other donors.
Writeup and pictures by Keith R. Salang and Ambrose James G. Torreon
- Details
Announcing the Indak Agham Himig Kaunlaran Music Video Competition! Your likes, shares, and engagements can catapult these talented Pisay scholars to the spotlight! The top music video entry with the most engagements will get the chance to perform live at the National Youth Science Technology and Innovation Festival (NYSTIF) at the Tent of PICC, Pasay City, on October 27, 2023. Watch, like, and share your favorite video now! 
To support, Click on the Link below, Watch, Like or Heart, and Share
- Details
Subcategories
