3 participants from Central Visayas win Copernicus Science 2021 awards

MINERVA BC NEWMAN

CEBU CTY – Three participants from Region VII won awards in the Philippine Copernicus Science 2021 Olympiad who are now qualified to join the global finals on January 7 to 9, 2022 in Houston, Texas USA.

The three qualifiers are Kiersten Candice Sy, 13, currently enrolled at the Cebu City National Science High School and a recipient of a gold medal on top seven in the Natural Science Category.  She is ranked 7^th in Category 1 for Grade 5-6 level.

The two other students won the bronze medal for Physics and Astronomy I Category 1 to Grade 7-8 level.  The two are Gabrielle Ruth Celeste, a student of Cebu Eastern College and Enzo Sebastien Choa, a 14-year-old student of Xavier School San Juan.

These students were among those listed as awardees in the official result of the Copernicus Natural Science Olympiad, as well as Astronomy and Physics Olympiad 2021, which were posted on the Copernicus International Mathematics Olympiad Philippines Facebook page.

The Natural Science Global Round will be held at the Houston Museum of Natural Science in Houston, Texas USA while that of the Physics and Astronomy will be conducted at the NASA Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas.

Copernicus Olympiad is a globally renowned international competition platform where students from 5th to 12th grade participate in Mathematics, Physics, Natural Sciences, and Astronomy competitions.

The Olympiad is organized by the International Champions in Education (ICE) which is headed by chief executive Robert Fordan.

In a virtual interview with Kiersten and her mom Dr. Cathy Sy, the mom narrated that even at an early age, Kiersten is a very responsible child even in small things, more so with her studies.  She always makes origami and she love to draw as well, when she’s not doing her math or natural science studies.

“I love to study and solve problems, especially those in math and science. I challenge myself everyday to solve problems in math and natural science, which are my favorite subjects.  I love to read and draw too,” Kiersten told this writer.

Mom Cathy bared that Kiersten also pays attention and takes care of her siblings during her free time and always finds time to tinker with her gadgets.  She sees the world in her innocence and she’s very motivated to learn which, somehow influenced her sibling Kylaine.

Kiersten and Kylaine both won gold awards in the Siam International Math and Science Olympics on November 7, 2021 held in the Philippines.  Mom Cathy said that Kylaine is totally opposite to Kiersten in personality.

Kylaine is more fascinated with puzzles, bricks and still plays with her barbie dolls but she is inspired by her sister, Kiersten to join math and science competitions.  She is very disciplined and organized in terms of her school works and preparations for any competitions.

The Department of Education (DepEd-7) in its message posted at the Copernicus International Mathematics Olympiad Philippines Facebook page, thanked the organization for recognizing its students’ achievements in the Copernicus natural science, physics and astronomy Olympiad USA.

DepEd-7 also recognized the help and all out support from its Cebu Team headed by Dr. Cathy Sy for facilitating the needs of its coordinator, teachers, schools and parents as well.