A world event, the 4th International Earth Science Olympiad/Earth Olympic (IESO 2010), today is officially closed by the Director General of Primary and Secondary Education of Ministry of National Education, Prof. Suyanto, Ph.D., at the UGM University Club. The event was also attended by the Rector of UGM, Prof. Ir. Sudjarwadi, M. Eng., Ph.D.
In the activity followed by 19 countries, participants from Asian countries dominated the championship. Participants from Indonesia, Rio Priandri Nugroho (SMAN 3 Yogyakarta) won a gold medal. Other Indonesian Representatives earned the silver medal: Kamil Ismail (MAN Insan Cendikia Serpong Banten), Asri Oktavioni (SMAN 8 Jakarta), and Mikey (SMAN 1 Pekanbaru). Asri Oktaviani also made it into ITFI (International Field Investigation Team Award).
The countries that dominate the IESO 2010 championship include Taiwan, Korea, Japan, Thailand, Cambodia and the Philippines. In fact, seven participants who won gold medals all came from Asia. They are Hung-I Yang (Taiwan), Po-Han Huang (Taiwan), Rio Priandri Nugroho (Indonesia), Jhih-Jhang Cing (Taiwan), Changhyun Choi (Korea), Kazuhiro Noda (Japan), and Ho Shi Yeon ( Korea).
Prof. Suyanto, Ph.D said that the competition is expected to continue to save the earth from extinction, such as deforestation which causes flooding and landslides. "Currently, there are still many of our brothers who are still fighting to save the earth from the danger of extinction, such as the trees logging which cause flooding and landslides," said Suyanto.
With this Earth Olympiad competition, Suyanto also hoped that it is not limited as an academic achievement, but to send a deeper message, which is for human beings to be more loving to the earth and the environment. He said that Indonesia has not yet achieved optimal results because these activities are held only four times. In addition, questions in this competition are not very compatible with the applicable curriculum. "It is not quite compatible with our curriculum. In the future, we can do some adjustments, "he said.
Previously, chair of Indonesian local committee who is also Head of the Geology Engineering Department, UGM, Prof. Dwikorita Karnawati, M. Sc,. Ph.D., said the IESO began with the International Geoscience Education Organization meeting (an earth science education organization) in New South Wales. At the meeting, nearly all countries in attendance expressed their concerns over the geological science development that is not popular in their respective countries. "We thank you for your effort and participation in this competition," said Dwikorita.
Meanwhile, the gold winner from Indonesia, Rio Priandri Nugroho, said the dominance of participants from Asia is bigger than the participants from Europe and other countries. About the exam, he considered the material about astronomy quite difficult.
The existence of field practices is assesed to be an interesting experience for participants, such as the visit to the Bribin Cave in Gunung Kidul. Participants can learn how to utilise an underground river for electricity generator. "I think the questions about astronomy are quite difficult and unexpected," Rio said.
The competition in the IESO consists of written and practical exams. This time it is special because there are field practice exams, covering the field of geology, oceanography, basic astronomy and meteorology. In addition to the field practice, UGM also became the place for the written exam. The field practice took place in Gunung Kidul district, the Gading former airfield and Baron beach.
The nineteen countries that participated in the earth Olympiad are Cambodia, France, India, Indonesia, Ukraine, Italy, Japan, Taiwan, Kuwait, Maldives, Nepal, Nigeria, Sri Lanka, USA, Philippines, Romania, Thailand, Russia and Korea. IESO participants are selected not only based on one gold medal that is earned. They must know the various fields of study, such as oceanography, meteorology, astronomy, and geology. Indonesia is the fourth country to host the IESO. For next year, the IESO will be held in Italy.