The Brazilian Astronomy and Astronautics Olympiad (OBA) has set a new record for medals this year. A total of 81,153 gold, silver, and bronze medals were awarded to students from all states, about 38% more compared to 2023. Nearly half were from public school students (39,200). According to astronomer João Batista Garcia Canalle, scientific olympiads open doors to higher education.
The astronomer is the coordinator of OBA and the Brazilian Rocket Show. He believes that these events make learning exciting and widely disseminate the teaching of astronomy, astronautics, and related sciences.
“Through activities and tests, we manage to update teachers and teach students in a participatory way, showing that studying can be something thrilling,” he said.
Moreover, according to Canalle, the best high school medalists from OBA may be invited to the selection rounds of the International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics or the Latin American Olympiad on Astronomy and Astronautics.OBA
Administered through a single test, OBA is divided into four levels. Level 1, aimed at students from the 1st to the 3rd year of elementary school, had nearly 20,000 medalists. Level 2, for the 4th to 5th year, accounted for over 11,000 medals. Level 3, for the 6th to 9th year, had nearly 27,000. Level 4, intended for high school, had over 23,000 medalists.
In addition to the theoretical test, OBA has an initiative that teaches astronomy and astronautics in a playful, fun, and stimulating way: the Brazilian Rocket Show (MOBFOG). In total, there were 20,843 medals across the 5 levels. 13,305 medals were from public schools.
The number represents more than half of the awardees. Level 1, for students from the 1st to the 3rd year of elementary school, distributed nearly 4,000 medals. In this category, the goal is to build and launch straw rockets propelled by compressed air. In Level 2, there were over 4,000 medals. In the challenge, students from the 4th to 5th year launch paper rockets powered by compressed air.
The astronomer is the coordinator of OBA and (MOBFOG). He believes that these events make learning exciting and widely disseminate the teaching of astronomy, astronautics, and related sciences.
“Through activities and tests, we manage to update teachers and teach students in a participatory way, showing that studying can be something thrilling,” he said.
Moreover, according to Canalle, the best high school medalists from the Brazilian Astronomy and Astronautics Olympiad (OBA) may be invited to the selection rounds of the International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics (IOAA) or the Latin American Olympiad on Astronomy and Astronautics (OLAA).Source: Agência Brasil