蕭舜文老師 Christina Hsiao

今年雙語部代表臺灣隊派出六位選手於11月1日至11月7日至泰國曼谷參加12th International Mathematics and Science Olympiad for Primary School (IMSO 2015)科學組的比賽，獲得兩銀兩銅的好成績。

準備過程中，師生都付出了許多，除了多練習之外，教師也鼓勵學生大量閱讀科學相關的書籍，並加強培訓學生實驗操作的能力，其中參賽者的決心以及平常是否有攝取科學相關知識的習慣與興趣，這往往是致勝的關鍵。

科學組競賽分成理論題和實驗題兩部分，藉由比賽來激發參賽者的創造力，培養分析思考以及批判的能力。主辦單位泰國教育部十分用心，也安排了文化之夜、當地觀光等活動，讓與會者能親自體驗泰國當地的文化與風俗民情。

藉由參加比賽激發學生對自然科的學習動機與熱忱，同時可以和20個不同國家的參賽者進行文化交流，拓展國際視野。而教師也藉此機會和各國的教師進行學術交流，了解世界各國的教育體制、自然科學教育的發展走向，相信對未來自然科學教育有正向的幫助。

Six IBSH students participated the 12th International Mathematics and Science Olympiad for Primary School (IMSO 2015) in Bangkok, Thailand during 11/1~11/7, 2015. IBSH students participated in the science competition and won two silver medals and two bronze medals. The theme of the IMSO 2015 is "Smart, Skilled and Creative in a Joyful Competition for Excellence".

To prepare for IMSO, students worked hard on the IMSO exemplar. Teachers encouraged students to read extensively from scientific journals to enhance their knowledge and also provided extra training for conducting experiments. Most importantly, the will, determination and motivation of the participants were the key to success.

The science competition consists of two parts: theoretical and experimental problems. The IMSO aims to develop the students’ ability in science to reach their full potential. It creates an academic atmosphere and encourages innovation, research development and academic progress. In order for all the participants to fully experience Thailand, "the land of smile," the organizer, the Ministry of Education of Thailand, arranged a cultural night and local tour.

Participation of the IMSO not only motivates the students, but also broadens their vision. Teachers also have a great opportunity to exchange teaching skills with peers from other countries. It is a rewarding experience and has positive impact on science education.

The week I spent in Thailand for IMSO was one I will never forget. It all started with the luxurious double decker bus that brought us to the hotel. Blue, green, and even pink taxis streaked along next to us, highlighting the fact that we were, indeed, in a foreign country.

After breakfast the next morning, we took yet another interminable bus ride to the opening ceremony. People from several different countries wearing strange clothes met my eyes. To me, it all seemed extremely intimidating. For the next two days, we actually had to take the test. Words I had never even seen before stared back at me from the paper while the clock’s continuous ticking urged me to speed up and finish soon.

Sightseeing ensued. We went to a science museum, an agricultural farm, and a theme park called Dream World with a room full of artificial snow for sledding. Finally on Saturday, we locked our hotel rooms for the last time, dragging suitcases and bags through the halls, and finally, onto the airplane back to Taiwan.

I would like to use this opportunity to thank all the teachers and parents who have spent months preparing us for this trip; without whom, these memories and experiences from the past week would not exist.

I think the IMSO was pretty good, because of the different ways the representatives from each country could treat you, in all, there were 20 countries participating, the trip had its upsides and downsides. The upside dominated most of the trip, the downsides were we had to wait for extensive periods of time for the elevator, or waiting for some of the slower countries to get on the bus. When I arrived at the auditorium, all the other countries were dressed up in their traditional clothing the whole time, it was peculiar to me, probably because I’m not used to seeing it. Those were my first impressions of Thailand.

On the first Science Theory test, we were brought to a school, the waited as the staff got the test ready. When I walked in, I saw everything was very neat, the Theory test contained some not so interesting questions and some hard ones, the test takers gave us plenty of time to finish. The second test was Science Experiments, the test taker warned us not to consume any material, there were two experiments, one which we had to use logic, and one based on constant speed and terminal speed. I thought the official ceremonies were extremely boring, but the trip overall was good.

IMSO was a very fun and exciting experience. The tests were exciting and hard to complete as they went deep into a subject. Our, Taiwan team was outnumbered by countries like South Africa, Thailand, Vietnam, and Philippines, but we worked hard for the medals and snatched silvers and bronzes, a school record.

On the night that everyone displayed their country's toys and culture, our booth was the most successful. Almost everyone came to our tables. Everybody, especially the people from Lebanon, kept on playing our games. The full experience of all countries' cultures was at the cultural night, where all countries performed. Needless to say, India had the most amazing performance out of all.

Thailand was very hot, but when we took the tests, it was freezing. The tests had a lot of questions, which made it hard for us to get gold. Finally, we finished all of the tests, and we were cheering that the tests were over. At the closing party, when the medalists were revealed, I was sweating like hell, and the others were probably also nervous about the scores. Finally, I got silver and was proud of it, even though I should’ve gotten gold.

IMSO can make students' eyes wider. Before I came to Thailand, I didn't really realize poor countries such as Sri Lanka and communist countries like Vietnam can do that well. Also, at first sight at the countries I was going up against, I had very high expectations of India and South Korea, but they barely got any medals. I realize that poor countries can be smart, and rich countries have a possibility not to do well. Students learn many things that they didn't know about other countries, and IMSO can be an experience of sadness, joy, or boringness depending on the chosen people.

IMSO was such a great experience. Not only did we get to learn about different cultures from twenty different countries, we also got to show our skills in math and science. Being able to share this one week with many others was an honor. When we arrived at the Suvarnabhumi Airport in Thailand, many people greeted us and gave us welcoming presents. We got to see many cultures of Thailand and also ate Thai food. A few days after our arrival, we learned how Thai people planted rice and we also planted rice ourselves by throwing rice shoots into the lake. Going to Dream World was probably the best part. We rode on tons of rides, and also visited Snow Town, where we sledded down a slope. Cultural Night was one of the most creative parts of the trip. We ate Thai food, ice cream, and listened to their music. We saw performances from all twenty countries and they were all very creative. There were many speeches given by educational and advisory people who gave us faith in winning. Even though it was a week full of fun plans, there were also tests that we had to take. Most of the time we spent there was amazing and fun, and we had a great time.

Attending IMSO was a wonderful experience. Even for those who didn't get a medal. Thailand was indeed a land of smiles.

We learned about other countries’ cultures. They each displayed emotions and feelings about themselves. We learned a lot of things when we displayed our games, and performed at cultural night. While displaying our games, we were basically showing them what we usually do in our spare time. Accordingly, we walked around the other stands from other countries, we viewed their money, flags, games, T-shirts, pins, keychains, and souvenirs. It was unfortunate that we didn't have enough time to view all of them. They were all amazingly incredible. On cultural night, we were instructed to bring presents that represented Taiwan. Then, we exchanged gifts with the other IMSO participants. When we finished trading our things, we looked through everything and found bags, mini dolls, keychains; basically just souvenirs from other places. When we left for Taiwan, we all had a really goodtime. After all, everyone had fun.

As Paul from the bible says,

“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day and not to me only, but unto all them also that love him appearing. From now on, the crown of righteousness is made ready for e, which the Lord, the upright judge, will give to me that day: and not only to me, but to all who have had love for his revelation. (2 Timothy, 4:7 ~ 4:8)”

This means that even if we didn't get anything, we still fought a good fight.

Competing in the International Mathematics and Science Olympiad (IMSO) is a memorable experience. I'm proud to represent Taiwan in a international competitionIn. November 2014, I was shortlisted after a test. I then started to study science knowledge for a year. During this time, I learnt myriad of science knowledge. After two more rounds of tests, myself and another 5 candidates are ready to go to Bangkok, Thailand for the Olympiad competition.

In Thailand, we met 300 over contestants from 20 countries and had the opportunity to learn about their culture. We also competed against each other. At the end, I receive a silver medal after a yearlong of study and hard work.

IMSO inspired me to study science, and my interest in science grew larger as I study. Science is all around us for learning, and essential to modern life, without it, our life will not be as convenient and comfortable. I want to be a scientist in the future, so I can improve other people’s life. IMSO gave me the confidence, to continue to study science. For those who are aspired to compete in IMSO, studying hard and understanding the underlying concept is very important. Science has become an important part of my life.