Five of our Secondary students took part at the Globeducate Academic Olympics 2024

From 19th to 22nd November, the Globeducate Academic Olympics 2024 brought together 160 students from 25 schools across 10 countries in northern Spain. Hosted by O Castro British International School and Coruña British International School, the event offered students aged 13 to 15 a unique opportunity to develop their knowledge, skills, and abilities through a series of innovative and hands-on challenges.

This year’s Academic Olympics took inspiration from the Camino de Santiago, a symbol of history, culture, and heritage, making it the perfect backdrop for fostering teamwork, critical thinking, and creativity. Students engaged in challenges across four key areas: Robotics, Science, Mathematics, and an interactive treasure hunt rooted in art, history, and literature.

The Challenges

Robotics: Innovate, Programme, and Create

Students programmed Beebots, tackled Minecraft missions, and designed Lego bots to recreate the famous Camino de Santiago.

These tasks combined technology and creativity, providing participants with insights into the world of engineering and problem-solving.Science: Explore, Experiment, and Discover

Through hands-on physics, biology, and chemistry experiments, students built structures, classified local flora and fauna, and conducted the Rainbow Challenge to master chemical precision.

Mathematics: Pushing the Limits of the Mind

Teams competed in mental arithmetic competitions and problem-solving quizzes designed to test speed, accuracy, and logical reasoning.

The Great Treasure Hunt – El Camino de Santiago

The grand finale saw students navigate Vigo in an immersive orienteering race. Tasks challenged their creativity and knowledge of art, history, and science as they raced to solve riddles and puzzles.

Building Skills for a Better Future

Participants didn’t just compete; they collaborated across cultures, developing skills in leadership, communication, and teamwork.

Miguel Vilches, the event Coordinator, said: "The Academic Olympics is more than just a competition—it’s a journey of growth, collaboration, and discovery. Watching the students flourish and seeing all the hard work behind the scenes come to life fills me with immense pride,” said Miguel Vilches, Coordinator of the Academic Olympics. “Their creativity, resilience, and teamwork are a testament to the transformative power of education and the limitless potential of young minds."

Our teacher Marta accompanied them on this incredible trip, which she describes as a unique experience. ‘They have learnt a lot and the activities were very well prepared and aimed at encouraging teamwork and critical thinking, as well as meeting students from different schools and countries. The event has been a huge job for the organisers and it shows in the fun the students have had, how much they have learned and the unforgettable experiences they are taking home’.

Recognising Excellence

The closing ceremony celebrated the students’ achievements in their teams, with names all connected to the local area.

• Gold: Palas de Rei
• Silver: Roncesvalles
• Bronze: Portomarín

Special awards were also presented to individuals who embodied Globeducate values:

• Leadership: Antón Amaro, O Castro British International School
• Positive Attitude: Kimo Illane, Sophie Germain.
• Creativity: Violet Smith, Stonar School

Ane, a Year 9 student, highlights all the people she has met and how fantastic it was to be able to take part in the challenges together with them. ‘It was a great adventure. The activities were super successful and we learnt a lot. We did a treasure hunt around Vigo which I really enjoyed and it was amazing’.

Shaping the Future Together

The Globeducate Academic Olympics exemplify the group’s commitment to preparing students for a global future. Through events like these, students form meaningful connections, explore new horizons, and discover their potential in a collaborative, international setting.

Congratulations to all participants and organisers for making the 2024 Academic Olympics an unforgettable journey of learning and discovery!

Jonathan Potier, teacher at International French School (Amsterdam), said: “We did enjoy the organisation, the challenges and the overall feelings of being part of a whole community. It was a very exciting experiences for your students that exceeds our expectations”.