2 golds, 4 more medals: Filipino students shine at Copernicus Olympiad
DIPOLOG, Philippines – Six young Filipino students earned top honors at the 6th Copernicus International Science Olympiad in Houston, Texas, from January 5 to 10. The group secured two golds, one silver, and three bronze medals, showing the Philippines’ growing presence in global science and mathematics competitions.
The event, hosted by the University of Houston and Rice University, brought together young minds from 14 countries, including the United States and Britain, to compete in disciplines ranging from physics and chemistry to astronomy, cybersecurity, and biology.
The Copernicus Olympiad, named after the renowned Polish astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus, is an annual international competition designed to test and inspire young students in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. It challenges participants to solve complex problems, pushing the boundaries of their knowledge and critical thinking skills.
Rjian Felminia Acevedo, a 10th grader from the Philippine Science High School System in Dipolog City, and Hermes Marinas, a 5th grader from Maria Loreto Integrated School in Pinamaylan, Oriental Mindoro, captured gold medals for their outstanding performances.
Iwen Sabio Manaba, a Grade 11 student from the School of Saint Anthony in Quezon City, clinched the silver medal, further solidifying the Filipino group’s strong showing at the competition.
The bronze medalists were Jaymee Kristen Concha, Grade 9, from PSHSS-Dipolog; Richmarth Duke Bad-ang, Grade 12, from the University of Immaculate Conception in Davao City; and Marquiz Xavier M. Zamuco, Grade 12, from Saint Louis University in Baguio City.
Concha told Rappler on Wednesday, January 15, that about 700 students from Grades 3 to 12 took the screening and preliminary examination, but fewer than 100 made it to the Olympiad.
“The Olympiad was not all about getting the highest scores. It focused on intellectual development, provoking critical thinking, and fostering our desire for learning,” said Concha, one of the bronze medalists.
Humbling experience
Acevedo, the gold medalist from PSHS in Dipolog, said the Olympiad had a humbling effect on her.
In the Philippines, Acevedo said, the PSHS of the Department of Science and Technology has a reputation for maintaining education standards above those of regular schools.
However, she admitted, “I have proven to myself that this is not entirely true.”
She said a sense of superiority can develop in such environments. “It’s just a feeling you get when you are in a gated community with a small number of people. It’s a feeling that, ‘Okay, I’m above those people.’”
“But it’s not true. When I got in touch with fellow students from other countries, I started to feel that I still have so much to do, so much to learn, and so much more to improve about myself,” Acevedo said.
During their free time, Acevedo said they did not discuss equations, evolution, or chemical reactions with other participants. Instead, “We enjoyed talking about Smiskis, the music of Taylor Swift and Ariana Grande, and many other things that normal kids talk about,” she said.
(Smiskis, small collectible figurines, have become popular for their simple, abstract shapes and quirky features. Known for their cuteness and minimalist design, each figure in the collection has a unique expression. While aimed at collectors, the toys have also gained fans of contemporary, playful art.)
“That’s why advanced education in science should not only be for the nerds. It must be accessible to everybody, to humankind,” the Olympiad gold medalist quipped, flashing an unpretentious, childish smile.
Concha, meanwhile, said the best part for her was their visit to the US’ National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the agency responsible for space programs, aeronautics, and aerospace research. – Rappler.com