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Eric Li (right) is grateful for the teacher sponsor of his school’s environmental science club, Rakshin Kandola.
Photo courtesy Eric Li
Eric Li is representing Canada in the International Earth Science Olympiad, held online this year and hosted by Italy.
Photo courtesy Eric Li
Richmond teen representing Canada at Earth Science Olympiad
By Hannah Scott
Published 10:42 PDT, Fri August 26, 2022
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Eric Li, a recent Richmond Secondary School graduate, is representing Canada in the International Earth Science Olympiad.
Li, who won first place in the Canadian national competition, was also named the captain of Team Canada for the international competition hosted by Italy.
“This has always been a dream of mine, to compete in International Science Olympiads,” says Li.
He adds that it’s an honour to be able to represent Canada and “to contribute to something that’s bigger than myself.” He was named team captain following an interview process.
The competition format includes a project-based evaluation plus a test—held online this year due to pandemic restrictions—that must be supervised with a camera.
“Some of the preparation that we do is past exams, and we like to review university-level academic papers which is very useful to have a better understanding at a higher level,” says Li.
He spends an estimated three to four hours a day studying each day, as well as communicating with other team members across Canada. Upon learning he’d won first place in the Canadian competition, Li says he was taken aback.
“It was a big surprise, but I also know with that distinction comes a huge amount of responsibility to maintain that excellence and ability so I do represent Canada well at the International Earth Science Olympiad,” he says.
Li has also agreed to help organize and mentor next year’s Team Canada for the international competition, sharing his passion for science with other students.
“I know a lot of students in Vancouver who participate in this competition; I don’t know why there’s an absence of Richmond students but I’m working to make sure more and more high schools know about this,” he says.
Li describes the competition as a fun challenge that also develops skills in other subjects like chemistry, math, and physics.
Heading into the international competition in late August, Li says that while he’s feeling a little nervous, he is dedicating more time and becoming more confident as the days pass.
To other students who may be interested in participating, Li says: “Put yourself out there and try your best.”
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