8th Singapore Junior Biology Olympiad 2023 Pre-registration Briefing Information
The 8th Singapore Junior Biology Olympiad (SJBO) 2023 aims to promote the advancement of Biology among Secondary School students from Sec 2-4 levels in Singapore. This prestigious competition encourages students to excel in Biology by focusing on practical skills and critical thinking. The structure includes an online Theory test in Round 1 for all participants, followed by a Hands-on Practical round for the top 7 schools in Round 2. Awards are given based on individual performance in the Theory round and school-based achievements in the Practical round. The event will revert to in-person format for 2023, with important dates and deadlines outlined in the timeline provided. Registration opens on 17th February and closes on 2nd March, with the Theory Test scheduled for 10th May. Don't miss the opportunity to participate and showcase your Biology knowledge and skills!
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8th Singapore Junior Biology Olympiad 2023 Pre-registration briefing 17 Feb 2023
Introduction SJBO promotes the advancement of Biology for Secondary School students from the Sec 2-4 levels SJBO encourages the improvement of education in Biology and the training of those interested in Biology SJBO is for schools based in Singapore
Rationale and Objectives Our Singapore context Top 5 in IBO in recent years Top globally for Science, Reading and Math in PISA SJBO is a push for students to excel in Biology The study of Biology with practical skills and thinking approaches are often overlooked Application vs. memorisation type questions; focusing on critical thinking
Structure of SJBO Round 1 (all): Online Theory test Round 2 (top 7 schools): Hands-on Practical round*
Awards Theory round (individual awards) Top 5% - Gold Next 10% - Silver Next 15% - Bronze Next 10% - Honourable Mention Practical round (school-based awards) Champion 1st Runner-Up 2nd Runner-Up Honourable Mention
Reverting to In-Person SJBO for 2023 IMPORTANT NOTE FOR 2023 With the recent announcement of DORSCON level being lowered to GREEN, we will revert the SJBO 2023 to pre-Covid19 format: Theory Round remains online (via ClassMarker), to be invigilated by school teachers. Removal of Challenge option. There will not be any provisions or refunds for students who are unable to make it for the SJBO 2023 Theory Round. Top 7 schools will be invited for Practical Round, which will be held in person.
Timeline for SJBO 2023 Registration opens Registration closes Registration Briefing 17 Feb 10 Apr 2 Mar Practical Round Theory Test Results release Prize Presentation 16 Aug 26 Aug 26 Jun 10 May
Round 1: Online Theory Test Date: 10 May 2023 (Wed) Platform: ClassMarker Venue: School Computer Labs Duration: 2 hours
Round 1: Online Theory Test 80 questions: Multiple choice, T/F, fill-in-the-blanks Weightage: 35% O level standard 35% A level standard 30% IBO standard Schools must administer in Computer Labs (exam invigilation setting) Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA): Teachers: signed & submitted during registration Students: acknowledged at start of Theory Test
Theory Test questions Question setters & vetters: Dr. Chen Zhong, Ms Jolene Ang, and biologists in research & academia from IHLs IBO past year questions: https://biolympiads.com/international-biology- olympiad-ibo-past-papers/
Theory Round Topics: Cell & Molecular Biology Ecology & Ethology Plant Anatomy Biochemistry Animal Anatomy Genetics Physiology & Morphology
Theory Round Sample Questions Example of an IBO level question Statistics: 1321/1428 attempted; 12% correct An experiment was carried out on sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) and soybean (Glycine max) plants in response to low temperature. Plants were grown at 25 C for several weeks and then at 10 C for three days, while day length and light intensity and ambient carbon dioxide concentration were kept constant throughout the experiment. The net photosynthesis of both plant species are shown in Figure below. From the information above, indicate which of the two following statement(s) are true. In cool condition, the biomass of sorghum increases faster than that of soybean. (30%) Soybean plants are likely to have smaller photosynthetic water use efficiency than sorghum. (58.1%) If put at 35 C, photosynthesis rate of soybean may decrease and that of sorghum would not change. (35.9%) The reduction of the carbon dioxide uptake in sorghum is mainly due to the decrease of enzyme activity in low temperature. (70.9%) 1. 2. 3. Figure: Carbon dioxide uptake per leaf dry mass (mg CO2g-1) 4.
Online Theory Test via ClassMarker A unique link to be sent to each school Students are to use Assigned ID to login Detailed instructions and an FAQ will also be provided to each school s SJBO coordinator closer to the competition Assigned IDs are NOT transferrable between students Updates will be emailed directly to the SJBO coordinator (do check spam mail) Auto-submission when 2 hours is up
ClassMarker platform SJBO2023 unique userID for each participant next page NDA acknowledgement
ClassMarker platform Red complete Grey - incomplete Countdown timer Question
ClassMarker platform Should the student experience technical difficulties e.g., laptop hanging, running out of battery, weak connection on certain computers A resume link will be generated for them, which allow (i) restarting of computers, or (ii) the change of computers Please ensure that computers and network are in good working condition to not disrupt the progress/momentum of students taking the test Remind students to not refresh frantically, which had caused some of their own tests to be jammed
Round 2: Practical Date: 16 August 2023 (Wed) Duration: about 2 hours Venue: TBC
Practical round Top 7 schools, based on top performers from each school Team-based: 4 team members, 1 reserve (reserve does not need to attend on the actual day) To be selected from top 8 students from each school based on Theory Test results Total number of students: 28
Practical Round (Total of 4 tasks) Topics: Cell & Molecular Biology Ecology & Ethology Plant Anatomy Biochemistry Animal Anatomy Genetics Physiology & Morphology Skill sets (same skills tested for IBO): Science Process Skills Basic Biological Skills Observation Microscope work Measurement Biological drawing Classification Biological, Chemical & Physical Methods Prediction Elements of STEM
Registration Opens: 2 Mar 2023 (Thursday) Closes: 10 Apr 2023 (Monday)
Registration details $20/student for MOE/independent schools; $50/student for non-MOE/international schools Opens: 2 Mar 2023 (Thursday) Closes: 10 Apr 2023 (Monday) Website for registration: https://sjbo.sibiol.org.sg
Registration procedure https://sjbo.sibiol.org.sg/registration/ 1. Download Registration Form and Non-disclosure Agreement (NDA) from SJBO website from 2nd Mar 2023 (Thurs) 2. Upload completed Registration Form and NDA back onto SJBO website between 2 Mar 2023 (Thurs) and 10 Apr 2023 (Mon)
Non-disclosure Agreement All information pertaining to the Theory Test for the SJBO is confidential, and are not to be communicated to any other person in any form (e.g. via social media) during or after the test Any breach or neglect of this undertaking is a disciplinary offence and may render you liable to prosecution under the Intellectual Property Law, Section 4 Non-compliance will result in the disqualification of the whole school
Online registration portal https://sjbo.sibiol.org.sg/registration/
Payment details Invoices to be issued from 17 May 2023 after the Online Theory Round Payment to be made by 16 June 2023 via Bank Transfer Vendors@Gov
SIBiol Public Forum and SJBO 2023 Prize Presentation Ceremony Tentative date: 26 August 2023 (Saturday) AM Tentative location: Science Centre Singapore Students and teachers from SJBO will be invited to attend in person. More information will be provided at a later date.
