Clean air and drinking water, healthy biological food and a variety of species are all collective goods with an intrinsic value. However, these resources became very scarce under pressure of social, economical and demographic development.

This is why lasting care and attention is needed. Help us to think of a solution in a form of a project designed from the perspective of a particular discipline, such as biology, physics, chemistry, healthcare or social science that can contribute to a better environment. Let us show the companies that cause damage to our environment that they can also function in an environmentally sustainable manner. By investing in the future, we as a society can avoid drastic and expensive solutions.

Does finding a solution together with your classmates or friends appeal to you? Enter the international olympiad and win the first price. To participate you have to meet the following requirements:

General Criteria

1. All secondary school students (vmbo, havo and vwo for Netherlands) between 13 and 18 years may participate.

2. The olympiad takes place between June 2 and 7, 2013 in the Netherlands (preliminary round for Dutch participants on April 20).

3. In the registration procedure the following information has to be added at the online registration program at www.inespo.org:

· School name

· Names participants

· Name teacher/supervisor

· Short description of project

· The project report and an abstract of the project

· Relevant pictures of project (if present)

· Photographs of participants (max. 100kb)

· Photograph teacher

4. Deadline for the first application for international teams is February 28, 2013 (this means creating an account by the supervisor/teacher). Before March 1, 2013, all information about the projects has to be added at the online registration program. For Dutch participants deadline creating the account is February 28 and for final registration March 1, 2013.

5. When the owner of the project does not give permission for a copyright (electronically, printed, written or audiovisual media), the participant is advised to ask a patent before the olympiad.

6. There is a participation fee of 280 Euros for each student and supervisor, to be paid in advance (Dutch participants are excluded from this fee). One supervisor/teacher per 5 projects is allowed. If a second adult wants to come along, his/her participation fee amounts to 500 Euros.

7. Accommodation, consumption & local transport is for the account of the organization. The participants are responsible for their own flight tickets.

8. All participants will be welcomed at Schiphol Airport and brought to their hotel. Flight details should be provided on time!

9. The organization committee has the right to amend, adjust, delete and add new and existing rules. The participants are obliged to read the up-to-date criteria from our site.

10. It is mandatory that all international participants should have an insurance for accidents and health issues.

Criteria for 5^th INESPO 2013

1. The number of participants in the project can be maximum 2 students and 1 project supervisor. Students cannot participate in more than one project. (Dutch schools are allowed to make teams of maximum 4 students)

2. The projects have to conform to scientific principles and methodology. The responsibility lies upon the participants.

3. After reading the summaries of the projects, the jury will make a preliminary selection. Projects that have gone through the initial selection have the right to be exhibited to the audience. All nominated projects will be announced on March 12, 2013 on this website. 

4. The organization will provide a stand for the nominees. The measurements of the poster boards are 1000 by 1250 mm.

5. Participants are responsible for the costs of all materials necessary for the production of the project.

6. The projects that are exhibited will be judged by the jury. The students will defend their projects by answering questions of the jury. The spoken language will be English as well as the produced project book and sheets.

7. The judging criteria will include the following points: selection and preparation of an original subject, scientific value, economic feasibility, relevance, adaptability, quality of presentation at the exhibition, clarity and delivery of the project.

8. Submissions that are incomplete will not be accepted.

9. There will be no correspondence over the selection results and participants do agree with this topic when completing the registration form.