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AILO Final Tests Creative Problem Solving Skills of Secondary School Students

AILO Final Tests Creative Problem Solving Skills of Secondary School Students

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Dublin, 16th March 2016: The 8th annual All Ireland Linguistics Olympiad (AILO) competition final was held at Trinity College Dublin yesterday (15th March 2016).  100 students from 51 schools coming from 23 counties raced to solve linguistic problems and decipher numerical spy codes in the quest to become Ireland’s top young problem solver.   The students now await the announcement of the national final results next week when four students will be selected to represent Ireland at the International Linguistics Olympiad in India in July 2016.

Speaking about the competition, Professor of Computer Science at Trinity and Director of the ADAPT Centre for Digital Content Technology, the organisers of the AILO competition said: “The next generation of leaders and problem solvers are here.  The All Ireland Linguistics Olympiad hones students’ problem solving, lateral thinking and language skills – key requirements in today’s globalised world. The combination of computational thinking and linguistics in a fun way inspires students to pursue third level studies at the intersection of computing, linguistics and language.”

The secondary school students from across Ireland took part in a face-to-face competition for the AILO final in Trinity.  Using their ingenuity, creativity and skill to solve language-related problems, the students competed to decide who would become Ireland’s top young problem solver and who would go on to test their language decoding skills against the world’s best in India.

In preparation for the AILO final, researchers from the ADAPT Centre for Digital Content Technology visited schools earlier in 2016 to deliver training for students. A total of 437 students from 36 schools across Ireland attended 17 problem solving initiative workshops.  The national competition has been met with enthusiasm by students and teachers alike and the success of the competition in Ireland is highlighted by Ireland’s hosting, by the ADAPT Centre, of the International Linguistics Olympiad in 2017 when 180 of the world’s top young linguistic problem-solvers will descend on Dublin City University.

In addition, a new Problem-Solving Initiative (PSI) aimed at enhancing the problem-solving ability of young people and raising awareness of these skills for society, the economy and science will take place in 2016 and culminate in a weeklong problem-solving festival in Dublin in July 2017 (http://adaptcentre.ie/ailo/problem-solving-initiative/)

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For media queries please contact Olivia Waters, Marketing and Communications Manager at ADAPT, olivia.waters@adaptcentre.ie  Tel:  087 9153599, or Dr Cara Greene, national coordinator of the AILO competition, cara.greene@adaptcentre.ie or Tel: 086 8646476

About ADAPT

The ADAPT Centre for Digital Content Technology provides a partnership between academia and industry. Funded by Science Foundation Ireland, the centre is led out of Trinity College Dublin and combines the world-class expertise of researchers at Dublin City University, University College Dublin and Dublin Institute of Technology. 

Irish decoders Bulgaria-bound for the International Linguistics Olympiad 2015

Four fantastic Irish decoders Bulgaria-bound for the International Linguistics Olympiad 2015

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Team Ireland members to put their code-breaking skills to the test on the international stage

17th July 2015, Dublin, Ireland: Four of Ireland’s leading problem solvers are preparing to test their language decoding skills against the world’s best at the International Linguistics Olympiad in in Blagoevgrad, Bulgaria, next week. The secondary school students, from Dublin and Donegal, are sharpening up their code-breaking skills at a team training camp hosted by the ADAPT Centre at Dublin City University (DCU) on 17th and 18th July, ahead of departing for Bulgaria on 19th July.

The Irish team members won the chance to represent their country by finishing ahead of 4,000 participants in this year’s ADAPT All Ireland Linguistics Olympiad. Shmuel Barron of Sutton Park School (Dublin), who claimed the title of overall winner at the All Ireland Linguistics Olympiad National Final in DCU in March 2015, will be joined by teammates Luke Gardiner of Gonzaga College (Dublin), Ethan Hamman of Newpark Comprehensive (Dublin) and Niamh Lynch of Loreto College Letterkenny (Donegal), who placed second, third and fourth respectively.

Running from 20th to 24th July, the International Linguistics Olympiad will see more than 170 second-level students from 28 countries strive to solve some of the world’s toughest problems in logic, language and linguistics.

Contestants will face challenging puzzles in unfamiliar languages, including many lesser-spoken and endangered languages from across the globe. Knowledge of a second language is not required, as students test their reasoning skills, logic, and of course, patience, throughout the rounds.

Team member, Niamh Lynch eagerly anticipates a puzzle-packed week of decoding:

‘I am very honoured to have the opportunity to represent Ireland at IOL and I’m so excited for the trip.’

Dubliner Luke Gardiner, who also represented Ireland in the 2015 Olympiad, is aware of the challenges that he and members of the Irish team will face:

“Having been fortunate enough to have participated in last year’s International Linguistics Olympiad, I know that the trip to Bulgaria will be great fun. The competition will be challenging but I am really looking forward to it, especially the team round where we will all be working together as a team.”

Team Leader and National Co-ordinator of AILO, Dr. Cara Greene of the ADAPT Centre is also looking forward to the competition:

“Luke, Ethan, Niamh and Shmuel are four of our brightest young problem-solvers and I am delighted that they will be representing Ireland at the International Olympiad. We are looking forward to competing against 44 teams from 28 countries from all over the world.”

The four finalists are all set and ready to solve, having already received tuition from experts at the Science Foundation Ireland funded ADAPT Centre for Digital Content Technology, a €110 million academia-industry research centre developing advanced technology to adapt and personalise digital content and services to the needs of global users.

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NOTES FOR EDITORS

The All Ireland Linguistics Olympiad
Launched in 2009 and run by the ADAPT Centre, the All Ireland Linguistics Olympiad (AILO) is a contest in which secondary school students develop their own strategies for solving problems in fascinating languages from around the globe. Students must use their ingenuity to solve puzzles as deciphering Egyptian hieroglyphics, decoding numerical spy codes, and interpreting ancient Mayan poetry. No prior knowledge of linguistics or a second language is required, as even the hardest problems require only logical ability, patient work, and a willingness to think around corners. AILO introduces students to linguistics (i.e. the study of human language) and to the application of logic to problems of language understanding and translation. The goal is to develop students’ problem-solving skills and to inspire them to consider the fascinating range of careers at the intersection of computing, linguistics and language. More than 10,000 students have participated in the Olympiad to date, with many former participants now studying computing and linguistics and tutoring current participants. www.adaptcentre.ie/ailo

The International Linguistics Olympiad
The International Linguistics Olympiad is one of 12 International Science Olympiads for secondary school students, and has been held annually since 2003. Each year, teams of young linguists from some 30 countries gather and test their minds against complex puzzles in language and linguistics. The weeklong Olympiad comprises individual and team contests, and students enjoy an active programme of social and cultural events. The 2015 edition of the contest will take place in Bulgaria from 20th to 24th July 2015. www.ioling.org

ADAPT Centre
ADAPT is the global centre for digital content technology. Supported by Science Foundation Ireland, ADAPT combines the expertise of 120 researchers at four universities (Trinity College Dublin, Dublin City University, Dublin City University, University College Dublin and Dublin Institute of Technology) with that of its industry partners to produce ground-breaking digital content innovations. The Centre’s research and technologies help companies to deliver the right content, to the right customer at the right time, in the right language, in the right format and on the device of their choice. www.adaptcentre.ie

CONTACT
Dr. Cara Greene
National Coordinator, All Ireland Linguistics Olympiad
Research Outreach Coordinator
ADAPT Centre
Tel: +353 1 700 6704
Email: cara.greene@adaptcentre.ie

AILO 2017 Participants

AILO 2015 Round 1 set for 2nd February in Schools all over the Island

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Round 1 of the All Ireland Linguistics Olympiad (AILO) will take place on Monday 2nd February 2015 in secondary schools all over Ireland, North and South. The first round will be an individual paper, held in your own school, that will take 2 hours in exam conditions. Schools and individual students can still register this week at www.adaptcentre.ie/ailo to receive the Round 1 paper.

Both the Junior category (15 and under) and Senior category will do the same individual paper. This gives all students the opportunity to qualify for the AILO Final and represent Ireland at the International Linguistics Olympiad (IOL). However, the students will be marked within their peer group and we will have prizes for the winners of both Round 1 categories.

The results will indicate which 100 students will be invited to the AILO Final in Dublin City University on Tuesday 24th March 2015. From the final, four students will be selected to represent Ireland at the International Linguistics Olympiad in Bulgaria 20-24 July 2015.

You can find the sample sets at:

AILO-12

Irish Students Seek Title of ‘World’s Top Language Decoder’ in Beijing

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Press Release:

Four Irish secondary school students from Dublin, Antrim, Kerry and Cork pitted their language decoding skills against the world’s best at the International Linguistics Olympiad in Beijing, China last week. The students honed their problem-solving skills at a training camp inTrinity College Dublin, where they were tutored by experts from the CNGL Centre for Global Intelligent Content, which also sponsored their trip.

The International Linguistics Olympiad challenges students to apply logic and reasoning skills to solve complex language puzzles in unfamiliar languages. 160 students from 30 countries engaged in code breaking challenges, which they tackled individually and in teams. Examples included the requirement to decipher the Engenni language of Niger-Congo and decoding the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in Armenian.

Representing Ireland in Beijing were Luke Gardiner of Gonzaga College, Dublin, Matthew Nixon of Aquinas Grammar School, Co. Antrim, Jane D’Altuin of Gaelcholaiste Chiarraí, Co. Kerry, and Daniel Herlihy of Douglas Community School, Cork. The four finished ahead of 2,600 opponents in this year’s All Ireland Linguistics Olympiad (AILO) to book their places in the final.

AILO is run by the CNGL Centre for Global Intelligent Content, a Science Foundation Ireland-funded research centre led by Trinity and co-hosted in Dublin City University. Competitors require no prior knowledge of a second language because even the hardest problems require only reasoning skills, logic and patience. AILO is now the largest of the Irish scientific Olympiads.

The Irish team recorded a strong performance at this year’s highly competitive International Linguistics Olympiad, withBelfast student Matthew Nixon won an Honourable Mention award.

Matthew Nixon enjoyed testing his code-breaking skills against the world’s best. He said: “Taking part in AILO was my first experience of Linguistics and I have really enjoyed putting my language and logic skills to the test as well as learning new problem-solving techniques. It was a fantastic opportunity to travel to Beijing as part of the Ireland team to compete against the top linguists from all over the world.”

Second-time International Linguistics Olympiad competitor Daniel Herlihy added: “This competition has granted me an amazing opportunity to represent my country, and has really improved my problem-solving skills. After the International Linguistics Olympiad in Manchester last year, I spent months dreaming about Beijing and competing in this year’s contest. To get the chance to do this all over again was simply unbelievable.”

The International Linguistics Olympiad aims to inspire the next generation of multilingual technology graduates, who can combine computational thinking with advanced language skills. Many important industry sectors require graduates with this powerful combination of skills, including the multi-billion euro digital content sector in which Ireland is a world leader.

Get updates on the 2015 season of the All Ireland Linguistics Olympiad via Facebook and Twitter.

Press Release: Minister for Education and Skills, Jan O’Sullivan Launches Competition Aimed at Developing Students’ Problem-Solving Skills

Minister for Education and Skills, Jan O’Sullivan, Launches Search for Ireland’s Top Young Problem-Solver

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Minister for Education and Skills, Jan O’Sullivan, launched the 2015 season of the All Ireland Linguistics Olympiad (AILO) on Thursday 20th November 2014 in the search for Ireland’s best young problem solvers. The prize for the top four decoders is the opportunity to represent Ireland at the International Linguistics Olympiad in Bulgaria in July 2015. Schools can sign up for the contest until 23rd January 2015 at www.adaptcentre.ie/ailo.

AILO challenges secondary school students to engage in code-breaking to decipher complex puzzles in unfamiliar languages. Typical puzzles include deciphering numerical spy codes and decoding ancient scripts. The contest is run by the ADAPT Centre, which is funded by Science Foundation Ireland.

Speaking at the launch at the Department of Education and Skills, Minister O’Sullivan encouraged students to sharpen their code-breaking skills. She said: “The ability to solve problems and complex puzzles is invaluable for all students throughout their education and career paths. The All Ireland Linguistics Olympiad inspires students to think outside the box and develop their problem-solving skills. I encourage students to take part in AILO 2015 and test their minds against the world’s languages.”

Professor in Computer Science at Trinity College Dublin, and CEO of AILO organisers ADAPT, Vincent Wade, added: “With over 9,000 participants to date, AILO is committed to developing problem-solving techniques in secondary school students in Ireland. These 21st century skills are indispensable for future in careers across computing, media, communications and business.”

Earlier this year, the OECD’s Programme for International Student Assessment reported that Irish students are “average” when it comes to creative problem solving skills for tackling real-life problems. AILO aims to help Irish students to hone these valuable skills in a fun, interactive manner.

Luke Gardiner from Gonzaga College in Dublin, who represented Ireland in China at the International Linguistics Olympiad (IOL) last year, said: “The experience of taking part in the Linguistics Olympiads, attempting such fascinating problems and meeting people from all over the world at the IOL, has been wonderful. It was particularly enjoyable to work through the Armenian team problem with the other members of the Irish team.”

The Olympiad is run by the ADAPT Centre, the global centre of excellence for digital content and media innovation led by Trinity College Dublin, in partnership with Dublin City University, University College Dublin and Dublin Institute of Technology. Recent investment of €50 million by Government and industry has seen the creation of the new ADAPT Centre that will revolutionise how customers and companies engage with each other digitally. Leading-edge innovations will enable delivery of the right content to the right customer, at the right time, in their preferred format and language, and on the device of their choice.

AILO’s primary aim is to enhance students’ problem solving skills in order to prepare them for high-tech careers in Ireland’s multi-billion euro digital content sector. Launched by the ADAPT partners in 2009, the contest has attracted more than 9,000 secondary school students to date. This year sees the introduction of a junior category to encourage younger students (aged 15 or younger) to take part.

The top 100 students from the qualifying round will progress to the national final, which will be held at Dublin City University on 24th March 2015. The overall top four performers will go on to represent Ireland at the International Linguistics Olympiad in Bulgaria in July 2015.

2015 is already a record-breaking year for the contest as more than 3,800 students have registered. Schools and individuals can register online until the 23rd of January 2015 atwww.adaptcentre.ie/ailo.