History
The IESO was first suggested by Korean earth scientists. In 2003, the Korean Earth Science Society (KESS) organized the first Korean Earth Science Olympiad. The international competition was adopted as one of major activities of International Geoscience Education Organization later that year.
In November 2004 in Seoul, representatives from ten countries gathered to discuss the curriculum and the format of IESO. 23 presentations were made and the IESO Advisory Committee was established with 11 members including Chairperson Moo Young Song. The IESO Syllabus Commission was then developed in 2005, and the first International competition was held in 2007.
The first IESO was held in October 2007 in Daegu, South Korea, where the Taiwanese team won first place with three gold medals and one silver medal. The Korean team placed second with one gold and three silver medals, and the United States followed in third with two silver and two bronze medals.
Second (2008) competition took place in Manila, Philippines, with the theme "Cooptition in Addressing Climate Change" (the word "cooptition" refers to a combination of competition and cooperation). Its aim was to promote global Earth science education and international cooperation in mitigating anthropogenic harm to the environment.
Third IESO took place in Taipei, Taiwan, in September 2009 with the theme "Human Environment".
Fourth IESO took place in Yogyakarta, Indonesia in September 2010 with the theme "The Present is the key to the Future".
The IESO is one of the two only International Science Olympiads (along with the International Olympiad in Linguistics) to include an International Team Competition. Past International Team Competitions have included developing stratigraphic sequences, evaluating living on the Mt. Mayon volcano, and evaluating the fault escarpment of the Chi-Chi earthquake.
In 2010 in Indonesia, the International Team Competition focus on sustainability and the use of underground water.
Read more about this topic: International Earth Science Olympiad
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