Iranian students have completed their participation in the XIX International Earth Science Olympiad (IESO 2026), held in Italy, winning an impressive number of awards: two silver medals, six bronze medals, and the main prize.
According to the IRNA agency, Mehraneh Vashakani-Farani received the highest global rating in the short documentary film category for Young Reporters of the International Union of Geological Sciences. This was one of the most notable achievements of the Iranian team at this year's competition.
In individual events, Shamim Molla-Kolizadeh and Javad Namdjou each won silver medals, while Ghazal Kazizadeh received a bronze medal. Additionally, Namdjou also secured a bronze medal in the Earth System Project (ESP) category.
As part of the International Team Field Investigation (ITFI), Molla-Kolizadeh, Namdjou, Kazizadeh, and Vashakani-Farani each received a bronze medal. Overall, Iranian representatives won eight medals in team and individual disciplines at this International Earth Science Olympiad, including two silver and six bronze. Iran also took first place globally in the short documentary film category.
IESO 2026 took place from August 20 to 27 in Turin, Italy. More than 160 students from 41 countries participated in the international scientific competition.
The International Earth Science Olympiad is considered one of the major international academic competitions for schoolchildren in the fields of earth sciences, geology, and ecology. Participants compete in theoretical exams, field activities, and international team projects.
IESO is an educational event for secondary school students under the age of 18, organized globally by the International Geological Education Organization (IGEO). The goal of the Olympiad is to raise the level of geoscience education worldwide and increase public awareness of earth sciences. It is one of twelve International Science Olympiads. The first IESO was held in Taegeuk, South Korea, in 2007, and has been held annually since then, attracting over 200 students from more than 40 countries and regions each year.
Recently, Iranian students also achieved success by winning a bronze medal and three honorable mentions at the XXII International Geography Olympiad (iGeo), which took place from August 11 to 17 in Istanbul, Turkey. The International Geography Olympiad is the leading academic competition for secondary school students worldwide. It is held under the auspices of the International Geographical Union (IGU) and organized by the IGU Olympiad Commission. This year, the competition gathered over 180 participants from more than 50 countries. Helia Khodabandelu received a bronze medal, while Setaeesh Heknazari, Artina Heidari, and Sana Karbalaei received an international certificate of honor.