Previous News
6 August, 2010
The Closing Ceremony of the 2010 International Geography Olympiad was held on 4 August. After showing a video of the events that happened during the past week, closing remarks were delivered. Certificates and medals were awarded to students who have excelled at this Geography Olympiad.
As with tradition, Romania had a strong showing, with one bronze and two gold medals. Singapore, though participating for the first time in the iGeo, impressively received two silver and two gold medals. The host of this year’s event, Taiwan, received one bronze and two silver medals, which is a new record in Taiwan’s history in the iGeo. Each gold medalist enthusiastically received a handheld GPS (model GPSMAP® 62s), provided by Garmin Taiwan. Since 2005, Garmin Taiwan has been very supportive of the Taiwan National Geography Championship and the Geography Olympiad within Taiwan, encouraging students to further pursue their interest in geography and the role of fieldwork in this subject.
After the Closing Ceremony, participants had a farewell lunch at Formosa Fun Coast. It was time to say goodbye to many participants as they boarded their planes, while others remained for the post-iGeo trips. See you 2012 in Germany!
4 August, 2010
For 3 August, participants visited the Yehliu Geopark and were assigned some activities. Divided into teams according to countries, participants were asked to identify a new geological/geomorphic attraction in the park, making it the “scenic spot no. 36.” Participants were awarded prizes for the completion of the assignment, as well as, for visiting the Yehliu lighthouse and marking its location using a GPS.
After the Yehliu Geopark, participants paid a visit to Taipei 101, which had been the tallest building in the world not long ago. Standing in observatory, the participants were able to view the Taipei basin in its entirety. Following the visit, the second half of the Culture Function was presented at night.
3 August, 2010
Students took their final test, the Multimedia Test, on 2 August. Following the test, participants voted for the best posters, and the poster presentations were held soon after. The poster presentations were held in three parallel sessions, and the team with the best poster will be awarded a prize.
In the evening, participants visited Danshui by taking Taipei’s metro and were able to experience one of the famous “old streets” of Taiwan. Dinner at Danshui gave participants the opportunity to taste some local treats.
2 August, 2010
Work and tasks were put aside on 1 August, as participants were taken on a trip to the center of Taiwan. The first stop was the 921 Earthquake Museum at Wufeng, where the damage from the 1999 earthquake was displayed in the remnants of the Kwangfu Junior High School. The museum provided information on not only the formation of earthquakes, but also on efforts made to minimize destruction that are induced by earthquakes. After the visit, participants had lunch at a restaurant in Chushan.
The next stop was the Guang Shin Paper Factory in Puli, where participants were introduced to each step of the traditional process of manufacturing paper. At the paper factory, participants were given the opportunity to make sheets of paper themselves and create prints on them. Additionally, participants made traditional paper fans and tasted pieces of “edible paper.” Dinner was at the Puli Restaurant, where participants enjoyed another great meal.
1 August, 2010
The Fieldwork Test was held on 31 July. Students visited the fieldwork site, the Guandu Nature Park, in the morning to complete the first section of the test, where they were to make observations and collect data to create maps. The second section was held in the test rooms after lunch, and students were asked to answer questions related to the fieldwork site using their observations, as well as, information provided by the committee.
After a day of hard work, participants were treated to a sumptuous dinner at Palace Excellence. Following the dinner, participants visited the National Palace Museum, one of the most iconic sites in Taiwan, where they were able to view some of the greatest Chinese artifacts and artworks.
31 July, 2010
After the successful opening of the previous night, students were put to their first task as candidates in the 2010 International Geography Olympiad as they completed the Written Response Test during the morning of 30 July.
The briefing for the Fieldwork Test was held in the afternoon, where rules and basic background information regarding the test were given. It also allowed students, who were assigned to mixed-in groups, to become acquainted with their group leaders, who will accompany them to the fieldwork site. Following the briefing, the students participated in a GPS geocaching activity.
At night, participants were treated to the first Cultural Function of this year’s iGeo. Around half of the participating countries presented elements of their cultures through a variety of ways, such as dancing, acting, and hosting games. The event gave a fun and enjoyable conclusion to the day and left participants with better understanding of other cultures.
30 July, 2010
The registration process of the participating countries was completed during the afternoon of 29 July. After leaving their signatures, participants busied themselves with the display of their posters, all of which concern aspects or issues of geography that participants want to present about their countries.
The opening ceremony of the 2010 International Geography Olympiad in Taipei was successfully held yesterday night as well. Twenty-eight countries, a total of 164 participants, attended the event after the campus orientation. A social function followed the performances and interactive activities of the ceremony, providing the participants with the opportunity to meet and get to know each other.
29 July, 2010
2010 iGeo starts today!!
The 8th International Geography Olympiad will be held from 29 July to 4 August. Twenty- eight countries participate this year. There are old friends and some new faces. It is the first time for Croatia, Denmark, Hong Kong and Singapore to send teams and for Turkey to send an observer. The Facebook page (see left) is set up and all participants are welcome to upload pictures during the event. Have a great week in Taipei!
22 February, 2010
Application for 2010iGeo from 29 countries has been accepted by the iGeo Task Force. We will meet most of the old friends and some new faces. It will be Brazil, Croatia, Denmark, Hong Kong, Nigeria’s first time to send a team to iGeo. Singapore and Turkey may also participate as observers. Click Participants for the team list.
Registration Form will be sent to the primary contact of each team by 28 February.
Please note:
Every team may comprise up to four participants and two team leaders. Because of the accommodation capacity, no observers will be accepted except the future host countries and new participants. Please ask local organizer for confirmation.
There will be probably no option of alternative hotel accommodation for the team leaders this year.
Accommodation is available at the school facilities on 28 July and 4 August evening at your own expenses. Please indicate clearly on the Registration Form.
20 December, 2009
The host has received applications from 21 members by mid-December, 2009. Among these applicants, a few of them such as Brazil, Croatia and Denmark are looking forward to their first time participation.
15 November, 2009
Invitation letter of 2010iGeo were sent out by the local host via Secretariat of Task Force.