2018 International ArtScience Olympiad (IASO) Concludes in Auckland, New Zealand: Global Youth Explore New Paths for Innovative Integration

PUBLISHED: AUG 22, 2018, 7:33 AM

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Auckland, New Zealand – The three-day 2018 International ArtScience Olympiad (IASO), also known as the International Olympiad ArtScience Contest (IOASC), concluded successfully at the exhibition center of the International Olympic Innovation Organization in Auckland, New Zealand on August 17. Focused on the theme of “Transcendence,” the event brought together 45 young competitors from nine countries and regions—including the United States, New Zealand, Australia, and Germany—forming nine interdisciplinary teams that showcased exceptional creativity and innovation across both art and science.

The Olympiad featured three competition categories: Intelligent Installation Art, Scientific Illustration, and ArtScience Photography. These categories not only tested participants’ scientific inquiry skills but also emphasized their capacity for artistic innovation.

Following the competition, the International Olympiad ArtScience Exhibition, held at the same exhibition center from August 17 to 22, presented 56 selected interdisciplinary works—primarily outstanding entries from the contest, along with additional pieces by invited experts (including the competition’s judges) and cross-disciplinary professionals. Highlights included interactive sculptures that respond to real-time climate data and ecological artworks created using microbial cultivation techniques. Lillian, an undergraduate student from Auckland’s King’s College who attended the exhibition, remarked: “These works show me that science is more than just formulas, and art is more than just paintbrushes. When combined, they can tell more meaningful stories.”

To promote global dialogue and learning, the IASO Organizing Committee also designed a study tour, taking participants to venues such as the Royal Society of New Zealand and the Auckland Art Gallery, offering close engagement with advanced scientific equipment and renowned art collections. According to post-event surveys, 98% of participants expressed high satisfaction with the interactive learning experiences.

At the closing ceremony, Anthony Davis, a representative of the IASO Organizing Committee, emphasized the transformative potential of interdisciplinary thinking: “The integration of science and art is a vital source of innovation,” he said. “This Olympiad has attracted some of the brightest young minds from around the world. It not only reflects the creative energy of global youth but also builds an important bridge for cross-cultural communication.”

According to the IASO Organizing Committee, the event has already facilitated 12 prospective university partnerships, promoting international collaboration and resource sharing in science and art education.