The 13th International Earth Science Olympiad took place in Korea. Estonia was represented 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 pupils were accompanied by their supervisors, the director of the Geological Survey of Estonia Alvar Soesoo and Senior GIS Specialist Sigrid Hade. During two days, the participants of the Olympiad had to solve both theoretical and practical problems on geology, mineral resources, structural geology, environmental sciences, geophysics, astronomy, hydrology and related fields of Earth systems. In addition, the pupils had to solve practical field problems in international teams, prepare and present a poster in the field of critical environmental changes.
All members of the Estonian team returned home with a medal. Krete Roopõld and Markus Vaher achieved a silver medal. Lee Ann Madissoon and Linda Kuusik were awarded a bronze medal. Markus Vaher gained a gold medal in teamwork. Altogether, 43 teams consisting of 181 pupils participated in the Olympiad.
“Estonia is rich both in regard with mineral resources and with clever young people,” stated the Minister of Economic Affairs and Infrastructure, Taavi Aas. “It is a delight that the new growing generation of scientists is at least as strong and successful as their worthy forerunners,” he added.
The director of the Geological Survey of Estonia, Alvar Soesoo: „The Geological Survey of Estonia has taken the duty to manage the preparations of Estonian youth for taking part in the International Earth Science Olympiad. I wish to thank the team of the Tallinn University of Technology Department of Geology, who steered in this year the first national Earth Science Olympiad. Its results were the basis on which our representative team was put together. As well, I wish to thank the supervisors of our young team members, Kalle Kirsimäe from the University of Tartu and Sigrid Hade from the Geological Survey, who helped in providing the final touch to the Estonian team. The results of our pupils show that Estonia is a state of geosciences and our youth, surely thanks to good teachers, is competitive in the international context. A special feature in this year’s Olympiad was the very tight schedule, which was not any issue to our young people.”
Participation in the Olympiad was supported by the Geological Survey of Estonia, the Tartu University Department of Geology, Tallinn University of Technology, Tallinn City Government, the Welfare Society of the Tallinn Secondary School of Science and several experts in Earth science. The Estonian representative team was put together on the basis of the national Earth Science Olympiad, which took place in March this year under the leadership of the Tallinn University of Technology Department of Geology.
