The top five finalists receive their awards during the closing of the 2nd PNSO
The competing students working on their computations during the Team Selection Test at the final round of the 2nd PNSO on May 15
DOST presents PH nuclear science olympiad winners, to vie in Malaysia for int'l tilt
The Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (DOST-PNRI) recently presented the five students who aced the 2nd Philippine Nuclear Science Olympiad (PNSO) held May 15 in Quezon City.
Leading the pack is Wins Keinrich Chen of Saint Jude Catholic School, followed by second placer Jeremiah Auza of the Philippine Science High School (PSHS) Central Visayas Campus, who was previously the fourth placer in last year’s Olympiad.
They were followed, respectively, by third placer Shaun Mannix Yap of Saint Jude Catholic School, fourth placer Nouel Christian Amaguin of Manila Science High School, and fifth placer Thomas Eugene Leung of PSHS Cordillera Administrative Region.
The five students will form the team to represent the Philippines at the 2nd International Nuclear Science Olympiad (INSO) to be held in Malaysia from July 30 to August 6 this year.
The Philippine team will have four official participants and one reserve member, accompanied by two Team Leaders from PNRI whose expertise in nuclear and radiation concepts will be invaluable in coaching the students.
To prepare the team in the upcoming 2nd INSO, the students will also undergo rigorous training for five to six weeks during the Nuclear Science Training Camp at PNRI.
Aside from winning gold medals, the topnotchers received cash prizes – P25,000 for first place, P20,000 for second place, P15,000 for third place, P10,000 for fourth place and P5,000 for fifth place.
The five winners emerged from the 20 finalists from all over the country who competed with hundreds of students at the elimination round last April 3. The elimination, consisting of theoretical and experimental questions, was conducted simultaneously across the country.
The final round consists of a Team Selection Test on May 15 which was even more difficult, taking a straight five-hour exam, twice the length of the elimination exam.
To prepare for the finals, the 20 finalists underwent a month-long Nuclear Science Training Program (NSTP), featuring various atomic and radiation-related concepts, environmental radioactivity, nuclear fission and fusion, radiation risk and safety, history of nuclear science and its various applications. Their performance during the NSTP were also part of their scores in the finals.
While the Team Selection Test was ongoing, the coaches were treated to several side events, including a forum on the latest Filipino atomic applications by PNRI’s leading scientists and researchers as well as the current initiatives of nuclear S&T education in the Philippines, a guided tour of the Institute’s various nuclear and radiation facilities, and even a taste-testing of PNRI’s latest radiation-processed samples.
The 2nd PNSO was organized by DOST-PNRI in collaboration with DOST Regional Offices and the Philippine Science High School (PSHS).
The competition was opened to all Filipino secondary school students from 15 to 20 years old who are not yet enrolled in college by August 31, 2025, in order to meet the INSO requirements.
The first PNSO was held in December 2023 as part of the 51st Atomic Energy Week Celebration. Building on the remarkable success of the Philippine team at the 1st INSO, where the Philippines secured 2 gold and 1 silver medals, along with the title of "Nuclear Ambassador" for the top scorer, the 2nd PNSO seeks to further cultivate excellence in nuclear science education within the country.
Standing for a podium finish, the top 5 PNSO finalists with their coaches
The 2nd PNSO Finalists
At the opening ceremony of the 2nd PNSO Finals
The teacher-coaches were treated to several side events while the students were taking the exams: tech forums, tours of PNRI nuclear and radiation facilities, and taste-testing of radiation-procecssed samples
