Educational systems, eras, and generational perceptions change; however, Olympiads continue to remain one of the main sources of student motivation. Before turning to our students’ latest achievement, it is important to reflect on the origins and historical background of subject Olympiads. From their very inception, subject Olympiads as educational competitions have aimed to identify students’ in-depth knowledge, logical thinking, and creative abilities across various academic disciplines.
The roots of subject Olympiads trace back to late 19th and early 20th century Europe. Initially, they were organized by universities and academic circles and were limited primarily to mathematics and the natural sciences.
These initiatives, which began in the early 1900s, led about half a century later to the establishment of international subject Olympiads. Their primary objective was likewise the development of scientific and mathematical thinking. Among the earliest were the International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO, 1959), the International Physics Olympiad (IPhO, 1967), the International Chemistry Olympiad (IChO, 1968), and the International Biology Olympiad (IBO, 1990).
Turning to our own success, it should be noted that English language Olympiads are comparatively younger and date back to the not-so-distant 1990s. It was during this period that the movement to assess foreign language proficiency through Olympiads gained significant momentum, one of the results of which is TeenEagle. Designed for students aged 8–18, TeenEagle aims to develop participants’ English language proficiency, critical thinking, and written and oral communication skills in line with international standards. The Olympiad is held across multiple countries worldwide and brings together thousands of students, offering them the opportunity to compete, compare their knowledge in an international environment, and gain global recognition.
The TeenEagle Olympiad is conducted in two main stages: the Online Round and the Global Finals. The finals, held in November–December and typically hosted in Dubai, London, or New York, combine academic competition with cultural exchange and international communication.
TeenEagle 2025 is already a reality, and to say that we have succeeded in this Olympiad would be an understatement. Represented by approximately 15 participants, students of the “Usum” School secured 2 gold, 4 silver, and 3 bronze medals, as well as certificates of honorable participation. It is also worth noting that our students demonstrated commendable and dignified performance across all three age categories of the Olympiad.
To not think freely is to not think at all!
