Celebration of the 15th Geology Olympiad
On Friday 23 February, the UAB held the 15th Geology Olympiad of Catalonia, organised jointly by the Spanish Association of Teaching of Earth Sciences (AEPECT) and the Spanish Geology Society (SGE). The UAB received 84 participants from five different education centres.
The participants of the 15th edition of the Geology Olympiad of Catalonia carried out the test simultaneously in six venues organised by provinces: in Barcelona, at the University of Barcelona, the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona and the Escola Politècnica Superior d'Enginyeria in Manresa, in Lleida, at the University of Lleida, in Girona, at the University of Girona, and in Tarragona, at the Rovira i Virgili University.
This year the total number of students registered was 559 students, mostly from the first and second years of secondary school, from 45 schools throughout Catalonia. The UAB hosted 84 participants from five schools.
The test contained an individual theoretical part consisting of a questionnaire of general knowledge of geology. Then there was a practical part in which samples of fossils, rocks and minerals had to be identified, and in which information from maps, diagram blocks and geological sections also had to be completed.
While the participating students were waiting for the results, they were able to enjoy talks and other activities organised at each of the sites. These activities are intended to raise awareness of the different aspects of geology as well as to emphasise its importance in the current context.
After the activities, the names of the winners were announced, who received several gifts, such as a copy of the Atlas of Geology of Catalonia and the book Geas. Dones que estudien la Terra provided by the Geological and Cartographic Institute of Catalonia, an outing to the Geopark of Central Catalonia (which will serve as a preparation session for the national phase of the Olympics to be held in Zamora from 12 to 14 April), and six tickets to visit different spaces and museums of the Orígens Geopark. The company Geologia365 also collaborated by providing a small set of materials for the study of geology. Moreover, those who obtain a better classification in the national phase will be able to enjoy free tuition at the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona or the University of Barcelona to study a degree in Geology.
On 13 April, the winners of each venue will participate in the national phase of the Geology Olympics to be held in Zamora. The winners of the national phase will make up the state team that will compete in the International Earth Sciences Olympiad (IESO 2024) to be held in Beijing at the end of August.