NZ Biologists Bring Home the Medals

New Zealand secondary school students have won silver and 3 bronze medals at the 19th International Biology Olympiad, held in Mumbai, India, last week.

The International Biology Olympiad (IBO) is a unique event designed to discover, encourage and challenge exceptionally gifted young students from all over the world. The event represents a "celebration" of the best in higher secondary school Biology with the top students from 55 nations competing this year.

New Zealand was represented by: Amanda Deacon, Burnside High School, Christchurch, Chloe English, Christchurch Girls’ High School, Jessica Shailer, Palmerston North Girls’ High School, Ben Paterson, Kings’ College, Auckland,

Some of the biological challenges faced during the competition were ‘the behaviour of Siamese fighting fish’ and ‘using modern forensic techniques’.

Team leaders; Drs Angela Sharples, Rotorua Girls’ High School, and Steve Chambers, Unitec, Institute of Technology were very proud of how the students performed at such a prestigious international event. “The New Zealand team punched far above their weight in this competition and all students performed outstandingly” they said.

The students were assisted with funding to travel to Mumbai through the Talented School Students Travel Award which is administered by the Royal Society of New Zealand.

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