International Mathematics and Science Olympiad opens in Naga City

NAGA CITY, Philippines – The 8th International Mathematics and Science Olympiad (IMSO) involving 235 elementary students from 13 countries in Asia, opened here Saturday, with a parade of the participants in their national costumes at the old central business district of this city.

Countries represented in the event that will end Monday are China, India, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Nepal, Philippines, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Taiwan and Thailand.

Simon L. Chua, president of the Mathematics Trainers’ Guild of the Philippines (MTGP), which has been coordinating the event with the local government of Naga City, said the cities of Bacolod, Davao, Iloilo and Valenzuela vied to host IMSO.

Naga City Mayor John Bongat said he considered it an honor for his city to be chosen to host the event, which has been held in Indonesia in the past seven years.

The delegation of Thailand, headed by Nijvadee Jareamkieatbovorn, had the most number of participants with 68 students joining all competitions.

“I am excited,” said Thai Kantasorn Hornpratraporn, 12, one of the contestants in science for his country.

He said he was selected from some 1,000 elementary students in Thailand, and got into the shortlist of 100 elementary students before finally being picked as one of the final 12 who flew here last Wednesday.

According to Chua, the Philippines has 30 math and 36 science contestants who were given intensive training for two weeks by 30 MTGP trainers.

He said that in past years, the Philippine team had hovered in the top 5 and he hoped to see them land in the top 3 in this year’s event.

Chua named Thailand, Taiwan and Indonesia as the top performers in the recent years.

He said the first round of competition consisted of a written test in science and math, followed by essay type, experiment and exploration tests.

The contestants would be given two hours to finish the experiments in physics, biology and chemistry and another two hours to finish the exploration part, which consists of solving six problems.

Winning contestants would be awarded gold, silver and bronze medals. The country with the most medals wins the Olympiad.