STUDENTS of the Philippine Science High School System bagged awards in the 16th International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics.

Mohammad Nur Casib of the Central Mindanao campus won a silver medal, while Yanna Loraine Tenorio of PSHS Main campus secured the honorable mention award.

This is the first time that the country won awards in IOAA since its participation in 2010.

The other members of the Philippine contingent are Patrick Abeleda, Caesar Lopez Jr., and Sean Ken Galanza, all from PSHS Main campus.

“We thank the PSHS-Western Visayas Campus for keeping the country’s participation to the IOAA alive and for continuously working towards increasing the selection pool of participants,” the Department of Science and Technology’s Science Education Institute wrote on Facebook.

“Congratulations to all the students, team leaders, coaches and trainers.
We are proud of you!” it added.

Now on its 16th year, the IOAA aims to promote interest in Astronomy and related STEM subjects through the general education of young people.

The Olympiad also seeks to enhance the development of international contacts among different countries in promoting Astronomy and Astrophysics in schools.