Taiwan’s students excelled at the 18th International Earth Science Olympiad, securing three gold medals and one silver. This impressive achievement helped Taiwan rank second overall in the global competition. The Earth Science Olympiad once again showcased the talent and dedication of Taiwan’s youth in the field of geoscience.
The Earth Science Olympiad is an annual event that draws top high school students from around the world. Participants compete in various categories, with each year’s host country changing. This year, Taiwan sent four contestants, all of whom performed remarkably well.
Among the Taiwanese winners, three students took home gold medals in the individual competition. These students include Yao Yi-geng, Chuang Ding-you, and He Hai-ming. Meanwhile, Bao Cheng-you, representing Hualien High School, earned a silver medal. The students’ success reflects not only their hard work but also the strong support system in place.
Yao Yi-geng, a second-year student at Jianguo High School, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to study geoscience. He prefers hands-on learning over purely theoretical work. Despite the increasingly difficult training, Yao’s enthusiasm never waned. He attributed his progress to rigorous selection camps and national training programs.
Similarly, Chuang Ding-you, from Tainan First Senior High School, shared his lifelong curiosity for music, language, and science. He compared his childhood library visits to treasure hunts, which fueled his fascination with natural phenomena. Eventually, he narrowed his focus to Earth science during junior high school.
The Ministry of Education announced that medal winners will receive scholarships based on their awards. Gold medalists will be awarded NT$200,000 (approximately US$6,662), silver winners NT$100,000, and bronze recipients NT$50,000. In addition to financial support, these students will receive recommendations for undergraduate admissions in geoscience programs.
Since 2007, Taiwan has participated regularly in the Earth Science Olympiad. Over the last five years, Taiwan consistently ranked among the top four countries internationally. This ongoing success underscores the nation’s commitment to fostering young talent in Earth sciences.
Overall, Taiwan’s performance at the Earth Science Olympiad highlights the students’ dedication and the country’s investment in science education. With continued effort, Taiwan is poised to maintain its strong presence in future competitions.