Shaw-IAU Workshops by the OAE

Since 2008, Uruguay has organized the national astronomy olympiad, an annual extracurricular competition aimed at high school students across the country. Since 2009, Uruguay has also participated in the Latin American Astronomy and Astronautics Olympiad (OLAA), selecting its delegations based on performance in the national event.
This contribution presents an ongoing study that combines a historical analysis of participation and performance data with a survey conducted among former participants. The aim is to evaluate the long-term educational and motivational impact of the olympiad experience, particularly in relation to sustained interest in astronomy and science in general.

Biography:

Silvia Martino holds a Bachelor's and a Master's degree in Astronomy. She has over ten years of teaching experience in secondary education, teacher training, and university-level instruction. She is currently an Assistant Professor at the Department of Astronomy, Facultad de Ciencias (UDELAR), where she teaches undergraduate courses in the Astronomy program and conducts research in planetary sciences and astronomy education. She also works at the Montevideo Planetarium, offering courses, public talks, and collaborating on educational materials for schools. She helps organize the Uruguayan Astronomy Olympiad and trains students for the Latin American and International Olympiads.