Brazilian students go to the final of the International Mathematics Olympiad
Eight students from Colégio Canada, in Guarulhos, Greater São Paulo, won a place in the international phase of SIMSO (Siam International Math and Science Olympics), one of the main student mathematics and science competitions in the world.
Students Amanda Andrade Lima Cruz, Arthur Sousa Carlos de Oliveira, Denis Nery de Almeida, Felipe da Costa Lima, Lucas Zago Alves, Pedro de Andrade Neme, Rafael Peluso Beraldo and Roberto Miranda Squillaci Filho advanced after winning medals in the qualifying stage held in Brazil. The in-person final will be played in Bangkok, Thailand, in early August.
The school is the only Brazilian school group qualified for this year's international stage. In addition to the institution's eight students, only one other Brazilian won a place independently: Nicolas Vaz Domiciano de Paula Marcondes, a student at Colégio dos Sagrados Corações, in Goiás, who will be part of the Brazilian delegation during the trip.
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According to the school, the students are part of a study club focused on scientific Olympiads and were registered by the institution itself through the Olympic Center for Academic and Cultural Development (CODAC), official representative of the International Champions in Education (ICE) in Brazil.
The selection process began with tests administered at the school itself. Each student can choose to compete in Mathematics, Science or both areas. Assessments are individual, consisting of 30 questions and carried out in up to 90 minutes. Once completed, the tests are sent to Thailand, where they are corrected by the ICE team. Medalists guarantee a place in the international phase.
In the final stage, students will face a new test, with a higher level of difficulty. In addition to the academic competition, the program includes cultural exchange activities, sightseeing tours and an awards ceremony, in which gold, silver and bronze medals will be distributed. The remaining participants will receive a Medal of Merit.
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Student preparation takes place throughout the year. "Members of the Olympics club participate in weekly meetings lasting an hour and a half, always on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. On Tuesdays, they study Olympic Mathematics content, while Wednesdays are dedicated to solving tests from previous competitions, including past editions of SIMSO itself", says Lucas Calanca, professor responsible for the institution's scientific Olympiads.
The educational institution participates annually in international competitions and has taken students to competitions held in the Philippines, India, Mexico, Thailand and the United States. The school will participate in another international Olympics in South Africa in October.
What is SIMSO?
SIMSO is an international Mathematics and Science Olympiad held annually in Thailand. The competition brings together students from different countries and aims to stimulate logical reasoning, problem solving and interest in scientific areas.
Organized by ICE (International Champions in Education), SIMSO has the participation of students from dozens of countries, including Brazil, the United States, China, Japan, South Korea, Australia, France, Poland and Singapore.
The competition is divided into two stages: national and international. For the national phase, ICE has the assistance of representatives in each of the partner countries. In Brazil, the official representative is CODAC (Olympic Center for Academic and Cultural Development). In this first phase, students take tests in their home countries, in printed or online format. The medalists and best classified earn a place in the international stage, held in person in Bangkok, capital of Thailand.
In the international final, participants face a more complex test, consisting of 30 multiple-choice questions that require advanced reasoning and practical application of mathematics and science knowledge. The exam lasts 90 minutes. In addition to academic assessment, the final phase includes cultural exchange activities, sightseeing tours and an awards ceremony.
Students have the opportunity to interact with young talents from different countries and exchange academic and cultural experiences.
According to the organizers, the competition seeks to develop skills such as critical thinking, creativity and problem solving, encouraging interest in scientific areas from an early age.
Source: CNN