18 Pinoy students bag awards in international 'Big Science' contest

MANILA, Philippines - Eighteen Filipino students harvested “High Distinction” awards in the international Big Science Competition administered by the Australian Science Innovations (ASI).

One Filipino student, Andrew Sy, a Grade 8 student of Xavier School, was top scorer for the Philippines, one of 58 top scorers among 37,000 participants.

More than 37,000 students from 541 schools in Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, USA and 195 students from the Philippines joined the competition held last June, according to Dr. Simon Chua, president of the Mathematics Trainers Guild-Philippines (MTG).

Aside from the 18 High Distinction awardees, 64 other Filipino students got Distinction awards and 52 got credit awards.

The competition, which involved problem solving and critical thinking, covered contemporary topics like global warming, space junk, deep sea exploration and wireless technology.

“We hope that students like Andrew continue to excel in science. Australia needs more scientists and its programs like the Big Science Competition that helps teachers nurture the scientific talent in their school,” said Anne Semple, chair of the ASI.

Dr. Chua said, “Andrew’s achievement in the Big Science Competition only shows that he can thrive well even outside his comfort zone which is mathematics. Perhaps it is the mathematician in him that brought him success in the science contest.”

Andrew Sy will be presented with a certificate and a 12-month subscription to COSMOS magazine in recognition of his efforts in October 2012 during the Metro Manila regional elimination round of the 7th Philippine Sudoku Super Challenge.

The High Distinction awardees are Andrew Sy, Xavier School; Samantha Mari Agura, St. Paul College, Pasig; Nathaniel Joshua Balete, Saint Stephen’s High School; Nicole Regina Chiong, St. Paul College, Pasig; Rianna Patricia Cruz, St. Paul College, Pasig; Allen Cedrick Domingo, Philippine Science High School; Gene Go Jr., Zamboanga Chong Hua High School; Ava Celeste Lee, Saint Jude Catholic School; Czarina Jill Mataragnon, Philippine Cultural College; Joan Lisebeth Mendoza, Philippine Science High School; Lara Andrea Montales, Philippine Science High School; Michelle Marie Ochoa, St. Paul College, Pasig; Vince Benedict Say, St. Jude Catholic School; Adrian Reginald Sy, St. Jude Catholic School; Marvin Kaiser Sy, St. Jude Catholic School; Isabella Tan, St. Jude Catholic School; Matthew-Ryan Tan, St. Jude Catholic School; and Natalia Varela, St. Paul College-Pasig.