Local students and other local residents can now register for the 2025 Macao Biodiversity Data Science Challenge, with applications open until March 30 for its “Individual Challenge” category and until April 30 for the “Team Challenge” category.
The challenge aims to “raise the interest of local students and the public [in general] in biodiversity, thus enhancing their scientific literacy and environmental awareness”, a joint Monday statement by co-organisers Macau Science Centre (MSC) and integrated resort operator Sands China noted.
The statement added that the challenge aims to contribute to the collection of biodiversity data in Macau and on a global scale through the participants’ observations and data analyses.
Participants will observe and document local wildlife species, upload the data and photos to the iNaturalist app and provide suggestions for “innovative biological protection measures”, according to the statement.
The statement added that free training courses and online resources will be provided by the MSC, while Sands China will provide transport for the “Individual Challenge” participants between April 25 and 28 to “facilitate their exploration of the natural environment” in Macau.
The results, according to the competition website, will be announced in mid-July, while an awards ceremony is slated to be held on July 22.
Further information, including registration details, contest regulations and the challenge’s schedule, can be found on www.msc.org.mo
This handout photo provided by Sands China on Monday shows Sands China Associate Director of Sustainability Stephanie Zhao (趙潔; from left to right), Director of Education and Exhibits Department of the Macau Science Centre (MSC) Oscar Leong (梁思聰) and local biologist and environmental educator Danny Leong Chi Man during a briefing session on February 24 at the centre in Nape.
