Yesterday and today (February 19 and 20), the Interregional Competitions of the Italian Astronomy Olympiad 2018 took place simultaneously at all Italian locations. Yesterday afternoon, representatives from the Junior 2 and Senior categories (students approximately in the first three years of high school) competed, while today it was the turn of the Junior 1 category (last year of middle school).
For Sardinia, the competition held at the INAF-Astronomical Observatory of Cagliari saw the participation of four students from the Euclide Scientific High School in Cagliari (Filippo Atzori, Matteo Fulgheri, Davide Izzo, Marco Serra), five from the G. Falcone – P. Borsellino Scientific High School in Palau (Emanuele Calabrese, Edoardo Cericola, Lorenzo Mannoni, Sofia Sechi, Simone Sposito), and one from the G. Marconi Scientific High School in Sassari (Matteo Pani), who had passed the pre-selection phase held in December at their respective schools, involving over 300 students from across the island. The 10 students, braving rather adverse weather, arrived at the competition eager and perhaps a bit nervous, but definitely prepared. Their commitment during the preparation period leading up to the competition was remarkable, and many of them also regularly attended lessons held at the Observatory, with those farther away even connecting remotely.
A great effort that will surely bear good fruit. The students tackled the competition problems with great focus and determination, and regardless of who the winners will be, the experience was certainly rewarding and exciting for everyone.
Now we await the results, which will arrive in the coming weeks, to find out who will advance to the national phase of the competition, which will take place in Bari from April 18 to 20.
In the meantime, congratulations to all the students for their grit and dedication, and for having the courage to challenge themselves. You’ve already won.