The New Zealand Biology Olympiad team are celebrating their success in Kazakhstan at the 35th International Biology Olympiad (IBO), in Astana.
The team of Anika Hayes (Waitaki Girls’ High School), Luca Ririnui, Ngai Te Rangi (Mount Maunganui College), Jifei Shao (St Cuthbert’s College), and Sophie Webber (Woodford House) achieved international success against the top 4 students from 79 other countries from around the world. Jifei won a Silver medal and Anika, Luca, and Sophie secured Bronze medals, showcasing New Zealand’s excellence in biological sciences on the global stage.
As the ‘team behind the team’, the volunteers of the NZ International Biology Olympiad (NZIBO) committee have worked hard to support young biologists from around New Zealand to achieve academic excellence in science. Team leaders Dr Angela Sharples (MNZM) and Mr Liam Hewson couldn’t be prouder of these young academics who represented us so well in Kazakhstan.
Reflecting on the success of students at the IBO, NZIBO Chair, Dr Angela Sharples (MNZM) said:
“The ambitious target for New Zealand is for our students to compete against the best young scientists in the world and bring home both the medals and a lifelong passion for the biological sciences that will grow science research and innovation in NZ. To win 4 medals is an outstanding achievement by our students. They are truly among the best young scientists in the world.
To deliver performance of this scale takes a great team of people at NZIBO, our partner university the University of Auckland – Waipapa Taumata Rau, and the Biology Educators Association of New Zealand (BEANZ).
With science educators and academics providing 1,000s of hours of support for our students and over 400 students participating in the NZIBO programme each year, this is an important package of investment in science education, driven entirely by passionate volunteers.”
From Left to right: Sophie Webber, Bronze medallist, Jifei Shao, Silver medallist and Anika Hayes, Bronze medallist. The team mascot, Kiwi, wears the Bronze medal of Luca Ririnui who was travelling to the World Schools Debating Championships in Serbia where he was representing New Zealand in our debating team.