Guangdong Earth Science & Engineering Societies Alliance
The contest is co-hosted by an alliance of seven professional societies under the Guangdong Association for Science and Technology — spanning geology, geophysics, geotechnics, mineralogy & geochemistry, petroleum, geography, and oceanography — a strong foundation for its rigor, authority, and public-benefit nature.
One Step Up Each Year
Each edition broke new ground in format, age groups, and reach — growing into a flagship Earth-science event for Greater Bay Area youth.
Guangdong Middle-School Earth Science Contest · Launch
The inaugural contest drew 167 students from 20 middle schools across the province to the final at Danxiashan, Shaoguan — combining fieldwork with written exams and pioneering Earth-science competition for Guangdong youth.
Larger Scale · Reaching Hainan
Participation grew markedly and the contest's reach extended beyond the province, opening the Guangdong–Hainan joint format and an early model of cross-provincial collaboration.
On-Site Persistence · Mature System
The final was held at Danxiashan at year's end. Even amid routine epidemic precautions, on-site fieldwork was maintained, and the organizing and judging systems matured steadily.
Two-Stage Final · Mentor Training
Held jointly with the 2nd Guangdong–Hainan contest. The final was redesigned into two stages — independent outdoor practice plus an on-site practical exam — with in-person mentor training at Dinghushan National Nature Reserve, Zhaoqing, strengthening "Nature-Force Mentor" development.
Refined Dual Divisions · Camp Learning
The Guangdong–Hainan dual-division system was further refined, complemented by the "Subtropical Danxia Bird-Landscape Learning Camp" (Jul–Aug 2022, Red Stone School at Danxiashan, with 143 students from 39 schools), extending competition into immersive nature education.
"Gaia Cup" Naming · New Primary Division
The contest took the "Gaia Cup" name and added a primary division for the first time, bringing primary, junior-high and senior-high students together. It also launched the first Geography Field-Skills Contest and the Daqing Mountain dinosaur expedition camp in Inner Mongolia — a "contest + field study" growth ecosystem.
Greater Bay Area · National Invitational
Elevated to the "Gaia Cup" Greater Bay Area Earth Science Knowledge Contest & National Invitational, covering Guangdong, Hainan, Macau, Shanghai, Chongqing and beyond. The final, held March 6–8, 2026, welcomed about 490 finalists (40 primary · 150 junior-high · 300 senior-high) — a record high.
"Science+" · For a New Primary Generation
As the launch year of a 2025–2028 Guangdong whitelist contest, a "Science + AI" theme is introduced for Grades 4–6: seven tracks, CBT and paper-based in parallel, and a final blending public lectures with outdoor field study — bringing eight years of legacy to younger explorers.
Real Scenes of Discovery
Fieldwork, hands-on practice, friendly competition and award moments — authentic records from past Earth Science contests (Danxiashan finals).
Eight years on — you're next
The 2026 "Science+" Greater Bay Area Youth Earth Science Contest, Primary Division, awaits your next chapter.