A study day will take place today at the Tallinn University of Technology (TalTech) for secondary school pupils heading for the International Earth Science Olympia in South Korea at the end of August. Specialists of the Geological Survey of Estonia and Tartu University aid in training the pupils representing Estonia in top form.
Estonia will be represented in South Korea by Krete Roopõld, Lee Ann Madissoon and Markus Vaher from Tallinna Reaalkool (Tallinn Secondary School of Science) and Linda Kuusik from Gustav Adolfi Gümnaasium (Gustav Adolf Grammar School).
The Estonian representative team in this year was put together on the basis of results from the national Earth Science Olympiad, which took place in March under the leadership of the Tallinn University of Technology Department of Geology.
The leader of the study day, the director of the Geological Survey of Estonia and TalTech Department of Geology Professor Alvar Soesoo stated that those preparing themselves for an international Olympiad have to have a wide spectrum of knowledge. “At an Olympiad one has to solve both theoretical and practical problems on geology, mineral resources, structural geology, environmental sciences, geophysics, astronomy, hydrology and related fields of Earth systems,” described Soesoo.
An important part of the study day is to get familiar with the geology of Korea, the country where this year’s International Earth Science Olympiad is arranged. In addition, the Olympiad team members practice knowledge of rocks and minerals.
The Estonian pupils participate in an international Olympiad for the second time. Last year Estonians won three bronze medals and one silver medal, and received diplomas in team work at the International Earth Science Olympiad in Thailand.
According to Soesoo the Estonian youth need comprehensive knowledge and skills on Earth-related issues. “The new generation faces critical problems, such as climatic changes or utilization of resources. Knowledge on geosciences assists the youth in being involved with solving future problems of the mankind. Moreover, the same knowledge helps us in taking into use new mineral resources, developing innovative technologies and implementing megaprojects, such as Rail Baltica or Tallinn-Helsinki tunnel,” said Soesoo.
The Geological Survey of Estonia co-ordinates the training of the Estonian team for the International Olympiad, with the support by geologists of TalTech Department of Geology and Tartu University Department of Geology.
