Milson Rotary-sponsored student Abbey Bleakley recently shared her inspiring experience attending the New Zealand International Biology Olympiad (NZIBO) selection camp in Auckland.
The International Biology Olympiad is an annual global competition, and this camp was the final stage to select New Zealand’s team to compete at the 2025 IBO in the Philippines. Abbey explained that her journey began with an initial test, which narrowed the applicants down to the top 200. After studying a university-level biology textbook over the summer and passing another test in February, she was among the top 25 invited to the Auckland camp.
Abbey hopes to promote NZIBO participation among fellow students in Palmerston North
The camp was an intensive and transformative week, with long days packed full of advanced biology training at the University of Auckland. Highlights included:
• Biostatistics: learning statistical methods for analysing scientific data.
• Dissections: exploring marine life such as mussels, oysters, and scallops.
• Microbiology: using electrophoresis to analyse bacterial DNA.
• Marine conservation: visiting Leigh Marine Laboratory and learning about octopus breeding and marine ecosystem research.
• Conservation fieldwork: visiting a conservation centre to learn about species monitoring techniques.
Cultural understanding was also a major focus, with activities preparing students for the Philippines, including a traditional boodle fight meal, Filipino crafts, and dances.
For Abbey, a personal highlight was building friendships with like-minded students from across New Zealand. Although not selected for the final NZ team, she is proud of those who were and remains motivated to try again next year.
Looking ahead, Abbey hopes to promote NZIBO participation among fellow students in Palmerston North and plans to run a study group to support future applicants.
She closed by warmly thanking the Milson Rotary Club for the opportunity — an experience she described as one of the best of her life, and one that has fuelled her interest in both marine biology and possibly biological engineering.