USA Biology Olympiad Finals at UC San Diego | Center for Excellence in Education

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USA Biology Olympiad Finals at UC San Diego;
Semi-Finalist Announced March 12th

More than 7,000 Students Await Results; Record Number of High Schools Participating

McLean, VA(Feb. 26, 2018) —The USA Biology Olympiad (USABO) will take place at UC San Diego for the first time in June 2018. Program officials from the Center for Excellence in Education (CEE) are working with UC San Diego officials to prepare for the final stage of the contest in the premier national biology competition for U.S. high school students.

“UC San Diego is the right place and we’re thrilled to have the USA Biology Olympiad on our campus this year,” said Bill McGinnis, Dean of Biological Sciences. “We have a stellar faculty and students on our campus, particularly in the biological sciences, available to help the students and a diverse and welcoming environment in which the students can live, work and play.”

“This is a wonderful opportunity for USABO scholars to be exposed to UC San Diego research and faculty,” said Xiaojun (Bill) Li, Ph.D., Vice President, CEE’s USABO.

“These are some of the nation’s top students in biology,” said Kit Pogliano, Dean of the Graduate Division and a professor of molecular biology. “After participating in this intensive training program they will be well-positioned for success in the Biology Olympiad competition and beyond. It is our hope that someday these students will apply for admission to UC San Diego undergraduate and graduate degree programs, so they can bring their passion for discovery and science back to our campus.”

UC San Diego officials have secured lab space, study space, housing and dining facilities at UC San Diego’s Revelle College in preparation for the USABO Finals. Officials are currently identifying UC San Diego instructors to provide lectures, labs, and the final exam questions basedon the USABO Finals curriculum.

A record number of U.S. high schools registered for the 2018 USABO and more than 7,200 students signed up for the Open Exam. Semi-finalists representing approximately 10 percent of test-takers will be announced on March 12^th. The top 20 semi-finalist student scores make up the finalists, and they participate in 10 days of biology instruction inclusive of laboratory training and conceptual understanding followed by two days of testing in June at UC San Diego. Ultimately, four students are competitively chosen to represent the USA at the International Biology Olympiad (IBO).

“USABO has earned the coveted #1 Team in the World in 2017, 2015, 2013, and 2011. Every member of Team USA has medaled at the IBO since first competing in 2003,” said Li.

The USABO is sponsored by The Center for Excellence in Education (CEE), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. CEE sponsors the Research Science Institute (RSI), USA Biology Olympiad (USABO), the Teacher Enrichment Program (TEP), and the Department of Defense Research Laboratories Internships.

About the Center for Excellence in Education

The Center for Excellence in Education was founded in 1983 by the late Admiral H.G. Rickover and Joann P. DiGennaro, President of the Center. The Center's mission is to nurture high school and university scholars to careers of excellence and leadership in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics – and to encourage collaboration between and among leaders in the global community.

Related Websites:

Center for Excellence in Education: https://www.cee.org
USA Biology Olympiad: https://www.usabo-trc.org