LA OLIMPIADA BOLIVIANA DE FÍSICA Y LA OLIMPIADA BOLIVIANA DE ASTRONOMÍA Y ASTROFÍSICA COMO PROGRAMA DE INCENTIVO AL ESTUDIO DE LA FÍSICA EN BOLIVIA

Abstract

The Bolivian Physics Olympiad (OBF) and the Bolivian Astronomy and Astrophysics Olympiad (OBAA) programs were created to address the urgent challenge of how to encourage the study of the sciences among Bolivian youth and in particular the study of physics, astronomy and astrophysics. The idea behind the programs has been to generate greater scientific and technological capacities that enhance the cultural, as well as the economic and social aspects for the country’s development. The OBF and OBAA programs started in 1997 and 2006, respectively. Since then, many generations of students have been motivated in public and private educational units in Bolivia. At the start only senior students were invited to participate, but later younger students were targeted and the invitation was extended to 6th grade primary school children and onwards, involving a total of seven categories at a national level. The majority of public and private universities have started nourishing themselves with the talent of those ex-olympic students, as well as, several foreign universities. Also, many Bolivian delegations have participated in Latinamerican, Iberoamerican and International Olympiads. Participation in these international events has highlighted the competitivity of Bolivian youth. In addition we stress that the goal put forward is being achieved, not only for our country but also for the benefit of humankind. Thus, we could say that the olympiads program is, in principle, ad aeternum.