REPORT FROM THE 4^th IESO PRE CONFERENCE

 

As one of the preparation activities of the 4^th International Earth Science Olympiad 2010 which will be held in Yogyakarta Indonesia on 18-28 September 2010, IESO 2010 Pre-Conference was held during June 23-26, 2010 at Gadjah Mada University, Yogyakarta.

Five countries were participating in this event. The delegates are from Korea (Prof. Dr. Chang Zin Lee & Mrs Chang Zin Lee, Prof. Dr. Jeong Yul Kim & Mrs Jeong Yul Kim, Prof. Dr. Moo Yung Song), Taiwan (Prof. Chun Yen Chang, PhD  & Mrs. Mei Feng Chen, Prof. Hung Chi Kuo, PhD  & Mrs.  Ling Ling Kuocheng,  Prof. Teh Ching Liu, PhD),  Philippines (Prof. Miguel Cano & Mrs. Magnolia. V. Cano), India (Dr. R. Shangkar),  Japan (Dr. Kenichiro Hisada) and Indonesia (Mr. Saptono BS, Mr. Joko Wiratmo, Dr. Hakim L. Malasan). The hosts are the local organizing committee coordinated by Dr. Hendra Amijaya & Mr. Pentatok Kuncoro, as well as the scientific committee (SC) by Dr. Salahudin Husein.  The delegates stayed at The University Club (UC) Hotel owned by Gadjah Mada University, which is located direct at the centre of university.

Day 1 (Wednesday, June 23^rd)

 

After welcome dinner, a meeting was held at the UC Hotel.  In this meeting, delegates are warmly welcomed by Prof. Dwikorita Karnawati, PhD (Head of Department of Geological Engineering, Gadjah Mada University on behalf of Senior Vice Rector), Prof. Dr. Suwarsih Madya (Head of Provincial Office of Education, Youth and Sport of Yogyakarta Province) and Mrs.  Astuti (Officer of The Directorate of High School Management of The Ministry of Education).

 

 

 

 

 

For the preparation of the next day field trip, field trip orientation was given by the coordinator of the scientific committee Dr. Salahudin Husein.  Field trip guide book dan preparation report can be downloaded (here).

 

 

 

 

 

Day 2 (Thursday, June 24^th)

 

The field trip was started at 08.00 am from the UC Hotel. All delegates and SC members joined this trip, which visited the planned location for field test at the Southern Mountain of Yogyakarta. The route was Ngalang River – Gading Airstrip – Bribin Cave – Baron Beach. Description of the location can be seen in the guide book.

 

 

Very interesting lunch was experienced by the delegates as well. Lunch was served at a warung makan (traditional restaurant) in a kampung (village) near Jirak River, Semanu District. This warung serves traditional food from that area, such as red rice, tempe (fermented soybean), fried river fish, deep fried beef, etc. What made everybody amazed is the fried locust. This menu is very typical from that area.

 

Day 3 (Friday, June 25^th)

 

The third day was started with a visit to the Mineralogy & Petrology Laboratory and the Paleontology Laboratory of the Department of Geological Engineering, GMU where the laboratory practical test will be held. Collections of mineral, rock and fossil specimen were shown. Then the delegates visited the Central Office of The Faculty of Engineering where the written test will be conducted. Prof. Jamasri, PhD, Vice Dean for Research and Student Affair welcomed the delegates on behalf of The Dean.  

After the visit, a meeting was held. The academic & organizing issues were discussed in the first term of meeting. Important issue that should be noted is that the marking proportion of 70% written test and 30% practical test will be kept, even in this year IESO a lot of practical test are planned. The theoretical problem outline is discussed (download here).

 

In the second term of meeting, some equipment which will be used for the field test, such as the Brunton compass for geology, Stevenson cage for meteorology, pH/ionmeter for oceanography and telescope (specs. here) for astronomy were shown.

 

Prof. Song as Coordinator of the IESO International Coordinating Committee also exposed some issues related to the future IESO. Some important notes from this meeting are:

-          For the conservation and communication of the IESO archives, Prof. Chang office will take care of the IESO main home page with all information & data.

-          Prof. Song will follow up the career of the student delegates after their awardees.

-          Prof. Cano will take care of the curriculum of earth science for comparison and promotion of earth science among different countries.

-          If there any idea or questions on the syllabus of the IESO, Prof. Hisada will gather the information for the future discussion.

-          Also if there is any good idea for IESO system or organization, Prof. Chang may exchange the ideas.

In the afternoon, the delegates have a very nice free time by visiting the Malioboro street, a very famous street for walking, sightseeing and shopping.

Day 4 (Saturday, June 26^th)

 

This was the last day. Some delegates departed, and those who still had extra time in Yogyakarta were visiting the Borobudur and Prambanan Temples nearby Yogyakarta. Borobudur is the biggest Buddha temple in Indonesia, whereas the Prambanan is a Hindu Temple.