246 Best Practices for Developing International Collaborations in the Geosciences

This session invites presentations on successful scientist to scientist international collaborations in the geosciences in research and educational activities, focussing on how they developed and keys to their success. It will also explore how organizations can help foster international collaborations/engagements.

Wednesday, 22 October 2025
8:00 AM - 12:00 PM
HBGCC, 301A

The International Earth Science Olympiad: A Model for International Educational Cooperation and Promoting Earth Systems Science in Schools

Paper number: 246-10
Program: Technical Sessions
Time: 10:30 AM – 10:45 AM

Authors

  • R Shankar
    International Geoscience Education Organisation, Bengaluuru
  • Sharon Locke Presenting Author
    Southern Illinois Univ Edwardsville, Environmental Sciences & STEM Center, Edwardsville, IL
  • Nir Orion
    The Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot

Abstract

To enhance the quality of Earth science education in schools across the world, and spark interest in Earth sciences among school students, the International Geoscience Education Organisation (IGEO) founded the International Earth Science Olympiad (IESO) for high school students. IESO has been held every year since 2007, with the number of participating countries increasing from seven at IESO 2007 to 34 at the 2025 IESO in China. A national team comprises four high school students and two mentors. IESO is designed to encourage friendly relationships among young learners from different countries through inclusion of cooperative student activities in addition to competitive elements. The various test components aim to introduce and promote experiential learning, analytical skills, and Earth systems thinking among participants. A Written Test has multiple choice questions based on the official IESO syllabus, and a Practical Test comprises field observations and/or laboratory experiments. Participants are awarded gold/silver/bronze medals individually based on their standing in the merit list. Two team events are also included to reflect that major strides in scientific research are no longer possible by the efforts of individual scientists alone, but require groups of scientists from different disciplines, institutions, and nations. Teams of 6-8 students complete an International Field Team Investigation that starts with a research question for a project site and involves field investigation, laboratory work using state-of-the-art instruments where possible, and data gathering and interpretation.  Additionally, multinational teams complete an Earth Systems Project on a topic of significance to the hosting country/region (for example, the Indian monsoon for the IESO held in Mysore, India). Both cooperative projects conclude with a group presentation. Meritorious teams are awarded team medals in gold/silver/bronze by international juries. Beginning in 2024, motivated student participants are also able to participate in an Earth system science workshop in the academic year(s) following IESO. There is high interest in IESO among countries in all economic categories, and each year registration fee waivers are granted for teams from low-income economies. Country team selection models vary considerably, from centralized within the national government (Australia) to independent organizations (U.S.). After nearly two decades of refinement, the IESO model offers insights on fostering student cooperation in international science Olympiads to better reflect the modern scientific enterprise.

Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs. Vol. 57, No. 6

doi: 10.1130/abs/2025AM-414495

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