Teams from the northeast received the largest number of medals in the grand final of the 15th National Olympiad in Brazilian History (ONHB), a project carried out by the State University of Campinas (Unicamp). More than 1,1 students from all over the country were at the University this Saturday and Sunday (26 and 27/8) to participate in the test and an exciting awards ceremony that celebrated ONHB's 15 years.
In total, 340 teams made up of teachers and students from elementary (8th and 9th years) and high school from public and private schools came to the final in Campinas. 15 gold, 25 silver and 35 bronze medals were awarded, as well as trophies to the schools with medal-winning groups and medals of honor for merit to the other participants.
The state of Ceará is the one with the highest number of medals, a total of 18. Next are São Paulo and Pernambuco, with 11 medal-winning teams each. Minas Gerais had eight winning groups.
Bahia and Paraíba had six medalist teams each. Next is Goiás with three groups. Rio Grande do Norte, Acre and Rio de Janeiro had two teams each. The states of Maranhão, Amazonas, Alagoas, Espírito Santo, Tocantins, in addition to the Federal District, each had one medalist group.
The teams participated in an essay test on Saturday, which had indigenous peoples as its central theme. The medals were handed over this Sunday in an exciting awards ceremony that included a show and the presence of Unicamp authorities, such as representatives of the Pro-Rector of Extension and Culture, the Pro-Rector of Postgraduate Studies, the Permanent Commission for Entrance Exams (Comvest) and the Institute of Philosophy and Human Sciences (IFCH).
Also present were representatives of the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPQ) and the National Association of Historians (Anpuh) — ONHB supporters —, the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MCTI), as well as guests, test developers and family members of the finalist teams.
In her speech during the final, the ONHB coordinator and IFCH professor, Cristina Meneguello, highlighted the trajectory of the Olympics over these 15 years and the format of the project that involves families, teachers from various areas and schools as a whole.
“This is a time to remember several life stories that were touched by ONHB. We have teachers coming for the first time and some who have been with us for 15 years. The Olympics is a project that aims to discuss the History of Brazil, preserve the autonomy of students, teach them to think, to have their ideas, to understand and challenge their limits”, he said.
The “Memórias Póstumas” team, from Colégio Contato Maceió, in Alagoas, participated in the ONHB for the second time and won the gold medal in the final.
“We didn’t expect this result. Even though it was a different test than what we expected and what we did in simulations, we managed to use the repertoire we had already studied and won the medal. We are very happy, I can’t believe it”, said João Victor Guedes, who is in his 2nd year of high school.
Record number of subscribers in 2023
This year, ONHB — which is Unicamp's largest extension project — had 30,5 participating groups, a total of 120 people. The number is the highest ever recorded among all editions and represents an increase of 68% compared to 2022.
Students from the 8th and 9th years of Elementary and High School participate in the Olympiad, in groups made up of three students and a History teacher. ONHB has six online phases, which were carried out in May and June, lasting one week each. The tests in these stages included multiple choice questions and tasks, which could be prepared by the participants based on debate with colleagues, research in books, the internet and guidance from the teacher.
Olympic vacancies and recognition award for teachers
Final year students were also able to take an additional, individual test to compete for a place on the undergraduate History course at Unicamp. The ONHB is part of the 'Olympic Vacancies' notice, therefore, medal-winning students have the chance to enter the University without taking the entrance exam according to their performance. ONHB medals are also accepted at other universities.
During the lecture held for teachers on Saturday morning, professor Carolina Ledoux, from Bahia, received the Joan Botelho Award for being the finalist supervisor with the largest number of registered teams: 116 in total.
The award recognizes teachers for their commitment to supporting teaching and scientific dissemination in History. A tribute was also paid to Joan Botelho, a professor from Maranhão who died as a result of Covid-19, in April 2021, and who was an important supporter of ONHB, participating since the first editions.
The ONHB is carried out with the support of the Department of History at Unicamp, the Student Support Service (SAE) at Unicamp, the Dean of Extension and Culture (Proec) at Unicamp and the National History Association (Anpuh). It also has the participation of university professors, undergraduate students, master's students and doctoral students.
