Calling Singapore's top Biology students!   The International Biology Olympiad (IBO) is an annual event where students from around the World compete in a gruelling test of their skills in tackling biological problems and biological experiments. The Singapore Institute of Biology, with the support of the Ministry of Education, National University of Singapore and the National Institute of Education, Nanyang Technological University selects and trains our best junior college students for this challenge.

Singapore Biology Olympiads

The Singapore Biology Olympiad (www.sibiol.org.sg/ibo/) has been an annual event since 2000. Each year, several hundred of our top biology students from junior colleges take an intial theory test, from which perhaps several dozen students are shortlisted to take the practical test. Those emerging tops after these two rounds are awarded medals.

However, being a medallist at SBO is merely the first step in the selection towards representing Singapore at the IBO! Selected medallists are interviewed and a final shortlist undergo an intensive training programme by dedicated academics from NUS and NIE. Eventually, a "Final Four" and one reserve are chosen to form the Singapore Team. Then it's off to the IBO!

International Biology Olympiads

Introduction

In bringing together gifted students, the International Biology Olympiads (www.ibo-info.org) tries to challenge and stimulate these students to expand their talents and to promote their career as a scientist, so biology talents do not get lost. The Olympiad also is focussing on biology as a beautiful and valuable subject. Many biological topics like ethology and ecology stress the importance of biology for society, especially items such as nature preservation and/or environmental protection.

Since the first IBO in 1990 where just 6 founding countries from Eastern Europe participated, participation in the IBO has grown significantly to 50 countries (in 2005) and looks set to continue growing. The aims of the IBO are to stimulate active interest in biological studies by the creative solution of biological problems, to promote exchange of ideas and materials about biology education, to promote regular international contacts and establish friendly relations among young people from different countries and thus to stimulate cooperation and understanding between nations.

IBO Results

Tabulated below are results for the Singapore team since we first began participating in the IBO in 2001. Singapore has consistently done well every year.

Upcoming IBOs

• 23rd IBO, Singapore (8-15 July 2012) www.ibo2012.org
• 24th IBO, Bern, Switzerland (14-21 July 2013)

Singapore will be hosting the 23rd International Biology Olympiad, 2012!