Sample tasks
Scientific interests
Ecology, climate study, physics, chemistry, mathematics, biology, geography.
The Olympiad format
Participants will solve theoretical and practical cases from academic, environmental, and industrial partners in two rounds, which will held on different days.
In the first (theoretical) round of the Olympiad participants will work on theoretical cases in two stages (individually and a in a national teams).
In the second (practical) round, it is planned that the participants, as part of the country’s team, will travel to a protected natural area (Sochi National Park) to work on practical cases.
National parks are specially protected natural areas established to preserve unique ecosystems, biodiversity, and landscapes, while also supporting regulated tourism and environmental education. Unlike nature reserves, where economic activity is almost entirely prohibited, national parks allow recreational and scientific activities, but on a strictly controlled scale. Their main feature is the combination of nature conservation with opportunities for study and sustainable use. Here, visitors can encounter rare species of plants and animals, breathtaking natural landmarks — such as waterfalls, canyons, and ancient forests — as well as well-developed ecotourism infrastructure, including nature trails, visitor centers, and observation decks. National parks play a key role in maintaining ecological balance while enabling people to explore and appreciate the natural heritage.
In the first (theoretical) round of the Olympiad participants will work on theoretical cases in two stages (individually and a in a national teams).
In the second (practical) round, it is planned that the participants, as part of the country’s team, will travel to a protected natural area (Sochi National Park) to work on practical cases.
National parks are specially protected natural areas established to preserve unique ecosystems, biodiversity, and landscapes, while also supporting regulated tourism and environmental education. Unlike nature reserves, where economic activity is almost entirely prohibited, national parks allow recreational and scientific activities, but on a strictly controlled scale. Their main feature is the combination of nature conservation with opportunities for study and sustainable use. Here, visitors can encounter rare species of plants and animals, breathtaking natural landmarks — such as waterfalls, canyons, and ancient forests — as well as well-developed ecotourism infrastructure, including nature trails, visitor centers, and observation decks. National parks play a key role in maintaining ecological balance while enabling people to explore and appreciate the natural heritage.
Case areas
- Significant components of biological diversity for its conservation and sustainable use;
- Protected area systems where special measures are needed to conserve biological diversity;
- Measures to rehabilitate aРРРnd restore degraded ecosystems;
- Introduction of invasive alien species;
- Consideration of the environmental consequences of significant adverse impacts on biological diversity;
- Emergency response to actions/events that pose a serious and imminent threat to biological diversity;
- Conservation of ecosystems and natural habitats in-situ (trip of participants to protected areas).
- Participants will be tasked with evaluating measures for protecting ecosystems, natural habitats, and maintaining viable species populations in the wild, as well as proposing improvements.
- Participants will examine various scenarios involving anthropogenic or natural threats that may negatively impact local biodiversity. They must identify such threats, analyze their consequences, and suggest possible solutions.
- Participants may also be asked to assess national emergency response mechanisms for environmental threats in a given country and neighboring nations, then propose joint action plans for emergency situations.
- No appeals regarding submitted work will be considered.
Evaluation Criteria
Theoretical Round
Criteria:
— Analysis of the situation and problem identification
— Development of a solution
— Practical feasibility
— Quality of argumentation
— Originality and innovation
Maximum score:
Individual round — 100 points
Team round — 50 points
Practical Round
Criteria:
— Analysis of the situation and problem identification
— Development of a solution
— Practical feasibility
— Quality of argumentation
— Originality and innovation
Maximum score: 50 points
The team performance is calculated as follows:
score from the theoretical team round (50 points) + score from the practical team round (50 points, which includes a fieldwork session and a laboratory stage) = 100 points total.
The individual performance is based solely on the scores from the individual theoretical round, for a total of 100 points.
Criteria:
— Analysis of the situation and problem identification
— Development of a solution
— Practical feasibility
— Quality of argumentation
— Originality and innovation
Maximum score:
Individual round — 100 points
Team round — 50 points
Practical Round
Criteria:
— Analysis of the situation and problem identification
— Development of a solution
— Practical feasibility
— Quality of argumentation
— Originality and innovation
Maximum score: 50 points
The team performance is calculated as follows:
score from the theoretical team round (50 points) + score from the practical team round (50 points, which includes a fieldwork session and a laboratory stage) = 100 points total.
The individual performance is based solely on the scores from the individual theoretical round, for a total of 100 points.
