Debuting on the IGS conference scene this year, the GeoJeopardy competition tests the knowledge of young engineers on a range of geosynthetics topics in a fun quiz format.
Staged live, a panel of experienced geosynthetics professionals act as quizmaster to student teams over a series of heats spread out during the conference.
But what is GeoJeopardy, what are the benefits, and how can Chapters organize their own events? Here, IGS President Samuel Allen explains.
What is GeoJeopardy?
Jeopardy! is an American game show that flips the usual question and answer format. The quizmaster gives contestants the answer and to get a point the player must phrase their response as a question that correctly describes the clue they were given.
For example, if the quizmaster says “1984”, the correct answer would be “What year was the IGS established”.
IGS GeoJeopardy is simply a twist on this popular show – with all the questions on geosynthetics topics.
Where did GeoJeopardy start and why?
We had an informal, teambuilding-type pub quiz with players made up of young and more experienced IGS members at GeoAfrica in 2023. But it was earlier this year, at GeoAmericas 2024 that we launched a more formal contest based on the Jeopardy! format.
I was inspired by various forms of student competitions I have seen and how, rather unfairly, these often get less attention, especially when they require time and there are competing events during IGS conferences.
The Jeopardy! game on TV, used as a model, is quick and fast-moving and I thought we could place the competition rounds in major plenary times when we would have maximum audience and participation. Also, it’s a great experience for the students to compete before a large audience.
What has the feedback been from GeoAmericas?
The students had a fantastic time, with a lot of spirit and fun had by everyone. Their ear-to-ear smiles told the entire story, and this is what it’s all about. We had four teams of three students, with three teams representing their universities. The fourth team was made up of IGS Brazil Young Members from various universities and they were the ultimate winners in a very competitive final round.
The judges were very dedicated and, I believe, learned a lot during this inaugural GeoJeopardy event. Forming questions and answers is not always easy as there might be
shades of an answer, or multiple correct responses to a given question.
Also, the time invested in creating the event was probably more than we bargained for in an already jammed schedule to accomplish a successful GeoAmericas event. However, with lessons learned, I hope we reprise the competition in the future.
Looking ahead, what is GeoJeopardy’s aims and ambitions? A contest at every IGS conference?
More important than a specific form of student competition, the IGS needs to engage students and include them in our IGS events, exposing undergraduate and graduate students to geosynthetic materials and applications.
Competitions are an important tool to succeed in this broader goal. GeoJeopardy is a successful form that made an impact on our Young Members as well as enjoyed by a large audience of conference delegates, so I think to continue having some form of student competition has merit.
How can Chapters find out more?
We’d love more Chapters to devise their own competitions for Young Members and students. This doesn’t have to be GeoJeopardy – although it is a good basis to start as we have experience now in putting this together and can offer advice. Alternatively, perhaps you have a popular quiz show in your country that would work well in a conference setting?
We’d love to hear your ideas and can offer support in developing them. Please email our Secretariat Manager Elise Oatman at igssec@geosyntheticssociety.org, who can help.
I hope GeoJeopardy or other IGS student contests will grow to both engage the next generation and advance geosynthetics knowledge worldwide.
Watch this short video with participants of GeoJeopardy at GeoAmericas 2024.
Listen to GeoJeopardy contestant and IGS Student Award-winner Daniel Zuniga, a geotechnical engineer at Axios International in Chile, who talks about his work and being an IGS Young Member.
