Iranian students finish 4th in International Biology Olympiad

TEHRAN,July 23(MNA) – Iranian students ranked fourth in the International Olympiad in the 24th International Biology Olympiad, which was held from July 14 to 21 in Bern, Switzerland. The four-member team won two gold and two silver medals in the competition, in which about 240 students from all over the world participated. Amin Arasteh and Amir Ashraf Ganjouei gained gold, while Bahar Seberzadeh-Ardestani and Neda Nilforoushan received silver. The International Biology Olympiad is an international competition for secondary school students which is hosted every year by a different IBO member and takes approximately one week. The exams focus on the skills in dealing with biological problems, and the ability to tackle biological experiments. For a successful performance interest in biology, inventiveness, creativity, and perseverance are necessary. All secondary school students (aged between 14 and 19) that are not yet enrolled at a university or a similar educational institute can participate. As the winners of the National Biology Olympiad, the four best qualify for the International Biology Olympiad. The aims of the International Biology Olympiads are to challenge and stimulate students to expand their talents and to promote their career as scientists; to promote the dialog between students, teachers, and scientists from all over the world; to promote cooperation in scientific education and to offer the opportunity to compare the syllabuses and educational trends in biology around the globe. The Biology Olympiads cover the complete range of modern biology, from disciplines as different as biochemistry to ethology or ecology. However, the exams focus on molecular and medical biology. Hence, two thirds of the exams consist of questions from the fields of molecular, cellular or evolutionary biology, genetics, or physiology. Scientific Olympiads are rooted in student competitions held in central Europe and were founded under the auspices of the UNESCO in the year 1959. The first international biological competition between Czechoslovakia and Poland from 1985 to 1989 provided ground for the future IBO. The IBO Coordinating Centre in Prague acts as a secretariat; it coordinates activities and ensures all information services for IBO member and related institutions. The official IBO Guide contains all information and the organization rules of the IBO.