Brazil won four gold medals and one bronze at the 16th Latin American Olympiad of Astronomy and Astronautics (OLAA). The event took place in November in Costa Rica.
The students Larissa Midori, Lucas Praça, Filipe Ya Hu, and Luca Pimenta brought home the gold. The team’s medal tally also included the bronze won by Arthur Gurjão. Additionally, Luca Pimenta achieved the 2nd highest score of the Olympiad. The Brazilian delegation also included teachers Julio Klafke, Fellipy Silva, and Heliomarzio.
For Júlio Klafke, the teacher who led the group, the medals represent a valuable achievement for the students. “They all prepared for the entire year. We are proud.”
16-year-old student Luca Pimenta, from Colégio Etapa in Valinhos, São Paulo, stated that winning the gold medal and the overall 2nd place was more than an academic achievement because he has been passionate about astronomy since childhood. “The astronomy olympiads allowed me to study the theory, the mathematics behind what happens in the sky. Earning the medal and the 2nd place is a dream come true since childhood. Having an award in an international competition is something that positively impacts my resume. Since one of my dreams is to attend a university abroad, this carries a lot of weight.”
The Brazilians competed against students from Argentina, Bolivia, Colombia, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Ecuador, Guatemala, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, and Uruguay in knowledge of astronomy and astronautics.
At the OLAA, participants take individual and group theoretical and practical tests, as well as an astronomical observation test and a PET bottle rocket launch.
Selection
To participate in the Olympiad, students must achieve a high score at level 4 of the previous year’s Brazilian Olympiad of Astronomy and Astronautics (OBA). They are then invited to participate in various qualifying stages, with online and in-person tests and training until the final selection of the team that will represent the country.
Founded in Montevideo in 2008, with Brazil’s participation, the Latin American Olympiad of Astronomy and Astronautics (OLAA) is an event organized by Latin American countries to popularize astronomy and astronautics, as well as to value the most outstanding school talents, promoting mutual collaboration among nations.
Source: Agência Brasil