Team Chinese Taipei all set to do some serious research! Ching-Pin Cheng wants to find cures for cancer from - guess what? Fungi! Yuan Wang's interest is in plant diversity, especially in tropical forests. For Ming-Hsuan Lu, it's " Different drug interactions with different proteins in different people" while Chun -Siang Chan wants to research viruses and bacteria in..(drumroll) "Maybe Singapore!"

Students listening intently to presenters at A* Star

Daily Newsletter Issue 7 | Saturday, 14 July 2012

Program for Saturday, 14 July 2012

Jury Members and Observers

Student Competitors

07:00 - 08:00

Breakfast (Rainforest Café)

06:15 - 07:00

Breakfast (PGPR)

08:30 - 12:00 Checking Theoretical Test Scores & Finalization of Medal Winners (NIE Blk 5)

00:00 - 07:30 Bus departs (PGPR)

12:00 - 14:00 Lunch (Rainforest Café) 08:30 - 12:00 Visit to Singapore Zoo 14:30 Bus departs (NIE Blk 1) 13:00 - 13:45 Lunch (PGPR) 15:30 - 18:00 Closing Ceremony (Nanyang Auditorium, NTU) 14:00 Bus departs (PGPR) 19:00 - 22:30 Farewell Dinner (Raffles Marina) 15:30 - 18:00 Closing Ceremony (Nanyang Auditorium, NTU)

19:00 - 22:30 Farewell Dinner (Raffles Marina)

Knowing me, knowing you…aha ah! Question: What is your greatest wish? “To visit Singapore one more time …” Katsiaryna Maskalenka, Belarus “To fall in love, I guess…” Axelle Hue, Belgium

“I wish I could make my parents happy…” Rhogerry Deshycka, Indonesia

“Win the Nobel Prize!!...”Gustavo Hernandez, Mexico

“To become the ruler of the world! (and also to get a medal at IBO)…” Sergiu Bivol, Moldova

“The IBO was my greatest wish, but now I need to find another one...” Alexandru Bolundut, Romania

It was a day of excursions and fun-filled activities for students, starting off with a visit of the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A* Star). A* Star representatives, from scholars to scientists, shared about the Agency's efforts, the biomedical science scene in general as well as their own experience doing research in Singapore, spurring these future scientists to start thinking about their own research interests!

A 'Star' Session

If you had unlimited funds, what would you want to research?

Team Russia ready to save mankind from the plague of genetic diseases

Team Russia members all had similar, noble goals - to cure serious diseases such as AIDS and Cancer. Viktoriia Lavrenova would focus on "Biochemistry and Genetic Engineering" in Switzerland and Phillippines, while Alexander Kostyuk would do "Genetic Therapy". Both Dmitries have a passion for human health. "We are very diverse and good at different things" asserted Dmitry Sutormin. When asked if they would sign my arm just in case they discover the cure for cancer, Dmitry Travin and Alexander laughingly replied. "You wont be able to wash that off for at least 30 years (until we get famous)!"

Today’s Weather Forecast Variable clouds with scattered thunderstorms. Chance of rain 60%. 26 to 31 degrees Celsius. Humidity: 60%- 95%

A steamy affair

To our twins from Montenegro, Marko and Mirko Pejatovic, born 19 years ago today (14 July), and to Janidu Gunrathna from Sri Lanka who turns 20 on 15 July.

Happy Birthday!!

Checking of Practical Scores and IBO Coordinators’ Meeting

Exchange of gifts – An IBO tradition

Jury and Observers were treated to a traditional ‘steamboat’ dinner complete with a starter course of Hainanese Chicken Rice. A popular feast among family and good friends, it was an apt occasion for everyone to relax and bond while cooking in a communal hot pot.

The excitement in the buses was palpable as we crossed the bridge to Sentosa, an immensely popular island resort off the main island's southern coast. Students turned into marine explorers today as they visited the famous Underwater World, and were treated to a lively pink dolphin and sea lion show followed by a special guided tour of the exhibits. Let's let the pictures do the talking!

Kite Building and Bonding In the afternoon, students got an opportunity to put their creativity and handicraft skills to the test in a kite-building activity at the Marina Barrage. Guided by expert kite-makers from Passionkites, participants were in a festive mood as they bonded with fellow team members over creating works of art - and flight - from basic materials. Not just a fun activity, there would also be prizes for the "Best teamwork" displayed by a country team, the "Best creativity" and the "Most skilled kite flying technique".

As the sun set over the Singapore skyline, competitors excitedly assembled on the Marina Barrage rooftop to put their aerial creations to the test. Adorned with flashing lights and creative designs, the kites danced and twirled in perfect tandem against the glow of the city backdrop. For the majority, this evening was their first experience flying a kite, which requires sensitivity to gauge the timing between pulling and releasing the kite’s string. Participants, jury members, and team guides alike worked hand in hand to fly their kites, ending the day-long excursion with a fun and challenging time of bonding.

Did you know? According to the Sri Lankan team, kites are 6 feet tall in Sri Lanka, and are made out of tissue-like paper and bamboo sticks -but it takes a really long time to make them!

Team Finland, Denmark and Czech Republic emit excited squeaks as they feed ravenous stingrays with clams. Exclaimed Quang Hiep Bui from Team Czech Republic :"It feels like a slug!" Was he afraid, we asked. "What we can eat, we are not afraid of.", he responded cheekily.

Looking like they were in a music video, "Boy band" Team Latvia in wide-eyed wonder as fishes of all shapes and sizes swim over their heads at the reef colony exhibit. Their favorite fish so far? "The unicorn fish!"

Team Mongolia with their Team Guide Pei Wei outside the dolphin lagoon

Show stoppers - the crowd goes wild as they watch frisky sea lions balance on their front flippers, catch hoops and even break dance!

Team United Arab Emirates leap for joy at the sight of the picturesque Singapore skyline.

Team Ukraine

Team Greece

Usama Tahir displays how long Team Pakistan's kite tail would eventually be. According to the team, their kite would be in bright colors and have abstract designs. "We might name it Gucci!" quips Usama. What an apt name for a fashionable kite! Team Georgia

Team Bulgaria proudly displayed their finished kite. When asked about the significance of the illustration, Viktoriya Stancheva enthused her love for cats, adding that the depicted feline “has wings because it is going to fly.”

Parisha Juta of South Africa proudly showing off the IBO 2012 souvenir kite.