Nuclear Science Olympiad

The International Nuclear Science Olympiad (INSO) is an annual global science competition designed for secondary school students under 20 years of age. Beginning in 2024, the competition is hosted by an Asian country each year and organized under the framework of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) technical cooperation project, “Supporting Nuclear Science and Technology Education at the Secondary and Tertiary Level.” To oversee the competition’s progress, an INSO Steering Committee and an International Jury have been established.

To promote participation in the INSO and enhance Nuclear Science and Technology education at the secondary and tertiary levels in Sri Lanka, the Sri Lankan Nuclear Science Olympiad (SLNSO) was launched in 2023 by the Institute of Physics, Sri Lanka (IPSL). This annual competition is open to Advanced Level (A/L) Science students. Top-performing participants will receive medals and certificates from IPSL, and based on their scores, the best students will be selected to represent Sri Lanka at the International Nuclear Science Olympiad (INSO). Eligibility for SLNSO requires participants to be 20 years or younger as of January 1 of the competition year.

Eligibility for INSO requires participants to be 20 years or younger as of August 31 of the competition year. In 2024, Sri Lanka proudly sent three students to the inaugural INSO in the Philippines, where they achieved exceptional results-one gold medal and two silver medals. The team’s participation was fully sponsored by the IAEA.

To further build capacity for a successful Nuclear Science Olympiad, IPSL will organize training sessions and workshops in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Atomic Energy Board and the IAEA. These initiatives aim to equip students with the necessary skills and knowledge to excel in future competitions.