International Greenwich Olympiad

International Greenwich Olympiad
StatusActive
GenreScience and STEAM competition
FrequencyAnnual
LocationUnited Kingdom
CountryUnited Kingdom
Inaugurated2022
Organised byNorth London Grammar School
Websiteigolondon.co.uk

The International Greenwich Olympiad (IGO) is an annual international project-based competition in science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM) for school students, organised and hosted by North London Grammar School in London, United Kingdom.[1][2]

Open to students aged approximately 10–19, the Olympiad invites research and creative projects across a broad range of STEAM disciplines. The event combines academic judging with lectures, workshops and cultural activities, and has been described as a platform for scientific innovation and intercultural exchange.[1]

In 2025, North London Grammar School received the Independent Schools Association (ISA) Award for International Provision, with judges citing the Olympiad as an example of global collaboration and educational impact.[3]

The Olympiad is part of an international network of affiliated science fairs and is recognised by the youth science organisation MILSET.[4][5]

History

Origins and early development

The contest is organised and hosted by North London Grammar School, an independent day and boarding school in Hendon, north London. References to IGO medal winners appear in documentation from 2019 onwards, indicating early iterations of the competition prior to the launch of the current full-scale format.[6] During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021, the Olympiad adopted online and hybrid participation models.[7][8]

Launch of the current physical format (2022)

The modern residential, London-based format began in 2022 after the easing of travel restrictions.[1] The inaugural physical edition combined exhibitions at NLGS and partner university venues and established a week-long model featuring academic sessions and cultural excursions.[2]

Published 2022 results include a gold-medal project on hydrogen-powered aircraft submitted by NLGS students.[9]

Expansion (2023)

The 2023 Olympiad saw significant growth, with 356 students from 41 countries presenting 224 projects.[10] Queen Mary University of London (QMUL) became a principal partner, providing exhibition halls and accommodation. The programme incorporated excursions to Cambridge and major London cultural institutions.[11]

In 2024, 449 students from 134 schools in 48 countries presented over 300 projects.[12] The opening ceremony was held at Oxford Town Hall, attended by civic and academic representatives.[11] Cultural events such as a culture night supported the Olympiad’s aim of fostering international understanding.

A notable 2024 gold-medal project investigated porous cellulose-amine materials for CO₂ capture, produced by a Slovak student under university supervision.[13]

Largest edition to date (2025)

The 2025 edition featured 522 students from 53 countries presenting 356 projects across 13 categories, making it the largest Olympiad to date.[14][15]

The opening ceremony again took place at Oxford Town Hall, followed by exhibitions and judging at QMUL.[14]

Following the event, the Independent Schools Association awarded NLGS its 2025 Award for International Provision, citing the Olympiad’s global reach.[16][3]

Organisation and governance

IGO is owned and organised by North London Grammar School.[2] Strategic direction is provided by an advisory board composed of international academics, industry figures and educational specialists.[17]

IGO is recognised by MILSET and works with affiliated national and regional science fairs which nominate top projects for international competition.[4]

Format and participation

Eligibility and participation modes

Eligibility extends to students aged approximately 10–19 working individually or in teams of up to three.[18] Each project is supervised by an adult mentor aged over 20.

Two participation tracks are available:[19]

  • Residential track: a week-long programme in London including project presentations and cultural visits.
  • Online track: pre-recorded presentations with live remote Q&A sessions.

Categories

As of 2025, IGO categories include:[20]

  • Engineering
  • Computer science
  • Environmental science
  • Energy
  • Health sciences
  • Artificial intelligence
  • Social sciences
  • Creative writing
  • Short movie
  • Art and photography
  • Drama and performing arts
  • Public speaking
  • Sumo Lego Challenge and other robotics challenges

Judging

Judging panels include academics and industry professionals, with over 100 judges participating in some years.[21][22] A published rubric allocates scores across creativity, methodology, data analysis, presentation quality and student understanding.[23]

Online presentations are overseen by trained moderators who verify identities, manage timing and ensure academic integrity.[21]

Awards and notable projects

IGO awards gold, silver and bronze medals in each category, along with honourable mentions.[1]

Notable recognised projects include:

  • a hydrogen-powered aircraft engineering project (gold, 2022)[9]
  • a CO₂ capture materials project (gold, 2024)[13]
  • environmental projects from Indonesia receiving multiple medals[24]
  • short films Return and Her Blues (gold, 2024).[25][26]

Schools with recurring medal success include Shanghai High School International Division,[6] Galaxy International School (Ghana),[27][28] and Triad Math and Science Academy (United States).[29]

Affiliated fairs and partners

IGO collaborates with a global network of regional science fairs whose top projects qualify for participation.[4]

Examples include:

  • SOLACYT / ExpoCiencias (Mexico)
  • MOSTRATEC (Brazil)
  • REDCOLSI (Colombia)
  • IYSA (Indonesia)
  • VILIPO (Lithuania)
  • INFOMATRIX (Romania)
  • AMAVET (Slovakia)
  • I-FEST (Tunisia)

QMUL is the main higher education partner, while Oxford Town Hall has hosted opening ceremonies.[11][14]

Media coverage

IGO maintains an active media presence through press releases, social media and a dedicated YouTube channel.[30] Local media in London regularly highlight the Olympiad’s scale and NLGS’s international outreach.[3][31][32]

Internationally, the Olympiad is widely covered by school newsletters and regional education news, often framing medals as national achievements in STEM education.[33]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d "About us". International Greenwich Olympiad. Retrieved 29 November 2025.
  2. ^ a b c "International Greenwich Olympiad". North London Grammar School. Retrieved 29 November 2025.
  3. ^ a b c "North London Grammar School wins ISA Award 2025". Times Series. 27 November 2025. Retrieved 29 November 2025.
  4. ^ a b c "Affiliated fairs". International Greenwich Olympiad. Retrieved 29 November 2025.
  5. ^ "MILSET – International youth science organisation". MILSET. Retrieved 29 November 2025.
  6. ^ a b "Exciting updates on global exam results". Shanghai High School International Division. Retrieved 29 November 2025.
  7. ^ "MILSET World Virtual Summit Registration". MILSET. Retrieved 29 November 2025.
  8. ^ "NLGS Newsletter 2022–23" (PDF). North London Grammar School. 2022. Retrieved 29 November 2025.
  9. ^ a b "IGO 2022 Medal Winners". International Greenwich Olympiad. Retrieved 29 November 2025.
  10. ^ "International Greenwich Olympiad 2023" (Press release). PR Newswire. 27 June 2023. Retrieved 29 November 2025.
  11. ^ a b c "International Greenwich Olympiad 2024: A celebration of innovation". Independent Schools Association. Retrieved 29 November 2025.
  12. ^ "IGO 2024: A celebration of innovation" (Press release). PA Media / PR Newswire. 18 June 2024. Retrieved 29 November 2025.
  13. ^ a b "Gold medal from IGO 2024". Pavol Jozef Šafárik University. Retrieved 29 November 2025.
  14. ^ a b c "North London Grammar hosts global Olympiad in Oxford". Ham & High. 26 June 2025. Retrieved 29 November 2025.
  15. ^ "North London Grammar School International Greenwich Olympiad". Times Series. 28 June 2025. Retrieved 29 November 2025.
  16. ^ "Barnet school receives award for international initiative". Barnet Post. 26 November 2025. Retrieved 29 November 2025.
  17. ^ "IGO Advisory Board". International Greenwich Olympiad. Retrieved 29 November 2025.
  18. ^ "FAQs". International Greenwich Olympiad. Retrieved 29 November 2025.
  19. ^ "Participation". International Greenwich Olympiad. Retrieved 29 November 2025.
  20. ^ "Categories". International Greenwich Olympiad. Retrieved 29 November 2025.
  21. ^ a b "IGO Moderators". International Greenwich Olympiad. Retrieved 29 November 2025.
  22. ^ "Judging". International Greenwich Olympiad. Retrieved 29 November 2025.
  23. ^ "How to write a research paper". International Greenwich Olympiad. Retrieved 29 November 2025.
  24. ^ "Cahaya Rancamaya School – International awards". Cahaya Rancamaya School. Retrieved 29 November 2025.
  25. ^ IGO 2024 – Gold medal winner – Return. YouTube. International Greenwich Olympiad. Retrieved 29 November 2025.
  26. ^ IGO 2024 – Gold medal winner – Her Blues. YouTube. International Greenwich Olympiad. Retrieved 29 November 2025.
  27. ^ "Galaxy International School students head to London". Galaxy International School. Retrieved 29 November 2025.
  28. ^ "Galaxy International School wins two awards". Graphic Online. Retrieved 29 November 2025.
  29. ^ "TMSA students bring home two gold medals". Triad Math and Science Academy. Retrieved 29 November 2025.
  30. ^ IGO 2025 Highlights. YouTube. International Greenwich Olympiad. Retrieved 29 November 2025.
  31. ^ "North London Grammar School wins ISA award". Harrow Times. 27 November 2025. Retrieved 29 November 2025.
  32. ^ "Independent Schools Association awards NLGS". Brent & Kilburn Times. Retrieved 29 November 2025.
  33. ^ "Youth science achievements – Uganda". Uganda Radio Network. Retrieved 29 November 2025.
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