Five Diploma Programme (DP) students from The International School of Stavanger recently entered the Young Norwegian Researchers Competition where each of them won prizes =– together they won more awards than any other school in Norway. Their bounty of winnings included trips to the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (the world’s largest international pre-university science competition held in the US), the London International Youth Science Forum and the Swiss International Wildlife Research Week.
From left to right, here are the five DP students along with their prize: Nick Eden (New Zealander) – 2nd Prize Humanities, Blanca Serrano (Spanish) – 1st Prize Humanities + trip to the London International Youth Science Forum, Anna Townsend (British) – 2nd Prize Science/Technology + trip to Swiss International Wildlife Research Week, Benedetta De Luigi (Italian) – 3rd Prize Science/Technology, Magnus Freyer (Norwegian) – 2nd Prize Science/Technology + trip to the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (the world’s largest international pre-university science competition)
The group used their Extended Essays to enter the competition and demonstrate their research skills.
Having just completed their Diploma exams, the group are no doubt enjoying some post-assessment rest and fun, but we managed to get in touch with one of them, Nick Eden, to find out more about the competition.
Congratulations to you and your classmates, Nick. How did you prepare for the competition?
DP student, Nick Eden
The great thing as an IB student was the fact that my Extended Essay qualified as a research paper that could be entered into the Unge Forskere competition. This meant that as far as preparation went, I was not forced to embark on a time consuming independent project while also juggling school work, but instead had the full IB Diploma Programme and the support of my school behind me.
What do you enjoy most about completing research?
First and foremost, I enjoy the fact that the research is over, and I don’t have any more work! This is the immediate reaction. However, the far more fulfilling long term reaction is the pride in research well done.
What did you enjoy most about taking part in the competition?
The main point of enjoyment was the chance to participate in a celebration of academic achievement in Norway – I could see how proud all the organisers were in the competitors. A close second would be meeting all the talented and interesting people who competed alongside me.
How do you use your research skills in life outside the classroom?
I believe that research skills can be split into two categories: critical and analytical. Critical thinking skills allow me to intelligently question the validity of statements, sources and evidence, both inside and outside of research. Analytical thinking skills allow me to measure the importance of evidence, and extrapolate it to a conclusion. I would argue both skills are important in any context.