"Gecko Gazette" is a newsletter for the 15th International Biology Olympiad. you can download it from the website of 15th IBO.>>> 



+ Posted by Mohammad KARAMUDINI at 08:21am

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This is a part of my suggestion for the Advisory Board of IBO, held in Prague Yesterday:
...I would like to emphasize once again upon the number vs. quality of IBO test questions. My suggestion is to decrease the number of multiple-choice type A questions, until their defined quota i.e. 25% of the theoretical task. This will provide enough space to increase the number of type B questions.
To improve the quality of IBO, I suggest limiting the number of theoretical part at 50. This will provide enough time to improve the procedures of judging and translating during the sessions...


+ Posted by Mohammad KARAMUDINI at 7:43pm

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I'm not sure that how Project-Based Learning can be used in Biology Olympiads. Any way this is enough potential to be used for assessing for understanding.
To examine Project-Based Learning in practice, we chose a lower secondary school situated in North East of Tehran during the school year 2001-2 More than 150 students involved in our work were grouped into 50 groups of 2-4 people: each group defined its favorite project, supervised by a mentor.

The groups started their activities on the selected project at the beginning of October, while the new school year starts in Iran and students are just come back to school. The duration of time for the project were defined around 4 months, i.e. till end of January.

The project underwent diversity in content and requirements. While some demanded collecting information, others required making one or more artifacts, and/or a combination of both.

Time dedicated to projects was totally chosen from student’s free time including holydays, when the students were just out of school.

Each group was to present its own results as attractive as possible, using different media they were able to apply.

Some successful projects were entitled as below. 

-         Escalator

-         Microwave oven

-         Dentistry row materials

-         Fridge

-         Rope way

-         Laser, production and application

Some project rose support from students’ family members, so they got favourable helps. This lead to a collaboration needed for science works, i.e. to collect information, visiting required places etc. As some projects involved the students in a real science project, they had a useful practice of science process skills e.g. designing experiments, collecting, presenting, and analysis and interpreting of data.

Because all students were involved in the activities enthusiastically mentors were satisfied observing their students in scientific research they were involved.

Assessing students project were consider upon assessing for understanding. That was not done by teacher or supervisor, but only considered by visitors.

The school continue to introduce projects as extracurricular activities for students after the first year of implementation.

+ Posted by Mohammad KARAMUDINI at 11:18am

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Australia's top 1,000 high school biology students sat the Rio Tinto Australian Science Olympiads National Qualifying Exam. This is a crucial step in selecting the team of students that will represent Australia at the Inetnational Biology Olympiad. More...


+ Posted by Mohammad KARAMUDINI at 2:00pm

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This is a place for IBO Leaders. Go to visit it.

+ Posted by Mohammad KARAMUDINI at 11:24am

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If you are going to participate in 15th IBO in Australia, Don't worry! A Biology Olympiad training course is proceding for students who intend to attempt the Australian Biology Olympiad National Competition.more...

+ Posted by Mohammad KARAMUDINI at 11:22am

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At the invitation of the Egyptian Academy of Science and Technology (ASRT), the 28th General Assembly of the International Union of Biological Sciences (IUBS), will be held from 18 to 23 January, 2004, in Cairo, Egypt. The conference will focus on integrative biology approaches to promote sustainable development in developing countries. Issues of food and health security, environmental protection, and societal response to biotechnological innovations will be given special attention, as well as the role of biology research and education in promoting good citizenship, i.e. in helping citizens to acquire and develop the awareness, sense of responsibility and skills to meet the challenges of modern societies. more...

+ Posted by Mohammad KARAMUDINI at 3:07pm

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