Thai students win medals in 11th International Astrophysics and Astronomy Olympiad

 

PHUKET, 20 November 2017 (NNT) – Five Thai students have won two gold medals, two silver medals and one bronze medal in the 11th International Astrophysics and Astronomy Olympiad. 

The 11th International Astrophysics and Astronomy Olympiad (IAAO) ended today at Duangjitt Resort & Spa, Phuket. 

The closing ceremony was presided over by Charat Suwannawela, Vice President of the Promotion of Academic Olympiad and Development of Science Education Foundation under the patronage of HRH Princess Galyani Vadhana (POSN). 

Slovakian student Aleksej Jurca made the highest score, while Thai students grabbed six awards, including two gold medals, two silver medals, one bronze medal, and the highest score for the observation competition by Panupong Pumpuang, a student from Suankularb Wittayalai School who was also a gold medalist. 

The 11th IAAO was held during 12-21 November 2017 with 212 competitors from 44 countries. Competitions included theory tests, data analysis, observation competitions, and team competitions. The event helps capable youth to further expand their capabilities, and allow teachers and students from around the world to exchange their experiences and knowledge, promoting the interest in astronomy which will lead to further studies in related fields such as physics, satellites, space, and environment.

 

-- nnt 2017-11-21

no offence to Thais... but why is i don't believe this article? perhaps because Thais are not really taught astronomy and astrophysics? for crying out loud.. ask a thai why their are tides in the sea.. or how many planets in the solar system.. you won't be shocked to know that most can't answer even these simplest of questions.  

Perhaps phuket felt the need to have Thais win something as it was held in thailand. or perhaps they won some obscure awards as this article doesn't specify exactly what they won their medals in exceot for the gold winner for observation.. 

i know some kids are intelligent.. so I could be wrong about what i said. But really to make this story believable they should include more details.  

5 hours ago, thesetat2013 said:

no offence to Thais... but why is i don't believe this article? perhaps because Thais are not really taught astronomy and astrophysics? for crying out loud.. ask a thai why their are tides in the sea.. or how many planets in the solar system.. you won't be shocked to know that most can't answer even these simplest of questions.  

Perhaps phuket felt the need to have Thais win something as it was held in thailand. or perhaps they won some obscure awards as this article doesn't specify exactly what they won their medals in exceot for the gold winner for obs7ervation.. 

i know some kids are intelligent.. so I could be wrong about what i said. But really to make this story believable they should include more details.  

How many planets are there?  How many moons does the Earth have..... Now, now no going to Wiki before you answer.  You may be surprised. 

6 hours ago, thesetat2013 said:

no offence to Thais... but why is i don't believe this article? perhaps because Thais are not really taught astronomy and astrophysics? for crying out loud.. ask a thai why their are tides in the sea.. or how many planets in the solar system.. you won't be shocked to know that most can't answer even these simplest of questions.  

Perhaps phuket felt the need to have Thais win something as it was held in thailand. or perhaps they won some obscure awards as this article doesn't specify exactly what they won their medals in exceot for the gold winner for observation.. 

i know some kids are intelligent.. so I could be wrong about what i said. But really to make this story believable they should include more details.  

The whole 'olympiad' thing seems to me to be fraudulent anyway. You and I are probably used to a competition in which if you get most points (or are fastest), then you get a gold medal. The second place gets a silver medal and the third place a bronze.

 

When I looked at this a while back, the true awfulness became clear.

 

You have 200-odd students. You get questions totalling 42 points ( I think I recall it being 6 questions). If you score 29 points you get a gold medal. It's possible that everyone participating would get a gold medal. Counter-intuitive right?.

 

So when Thais trumpet that they got xyz gold medals, it doesn't mean they actually came first in anything, in fact I and others would be amazed if they did..

 

Transparently fraudulent.

 

Edited November 21, 20178 yr by Sid Celery

I would bet everyone got medals.  Who represented the 44 countries?  Special Olympiad?  More details please