Taipei, Aug. 29 (CNA) Taiwan grasped second place in the 2017 International Earth Science Olympiad (IESO) held in Nice, France, after its team bagged two gold medals and two silvers, the Ministry of Education (MOE) said Tuesday.
Taiwan tied with Japan but lagged behind China in the competition. It was the first time Taiwan had failed to secure the top spot since the country started to compete in the IESO in 2007.
The 11th IESO, which ran Aug. 22-29, brought together 108 students from 29 countries, the MOE said.
The Taiwan team was composed of four students -- Huang Shen-chang, Wu Tsung-shun and Chen Ying-chiao, all from Taipei Municipal Jianguo High School, and Lu Po-yuan of Affiliated Senior High School of National Taiwan Normal University (NTNU).
According to the MOE, the team members were selected from among a total of 478 students after a series of tests and training by more than 10 professors led by NTNU professor Chang Chun-yen.
The MOE said that during the contest, the students had to take written and practical tests focusing on earth science in four disciplines: geology, meteorology, environmental science and astronomy.
In addition, they were required to attend discussions on a special earth science project, while taking part in international team field investigations, the MOE added.
Huang won a silver medal in the earth science project, in which it was difficult for the competitors to stand out, the MOE said.
Since 2007, Taiwan has won 31 gold medals and 13 silvers at the IESO, the ministry said.
The team is scheduled to return to Taiwan on Sept. 3. The MOE said that each of the gold medal winners are expected to receive NT$200,000 (US$6,623) in prize money, with NT$100,000 for each of the silver medal winners. The prize money for a bronze medal is NT$50,000. To encourage students to participate, the winners are recommended to universities without having to take an entrance examination.
The 12th IESO will held in Thailand next year and the ministry said that it will continue to encourage students to attend the competition in a bid to boost international academic exchanges.
