International Academic Competitions organizes the following four world championship-level competitions in history, geography, and science. We encourage all students in Canada to qualify for and attend these amazing competitions that provide a chance to compete on the world stage!
International History Olympiad
The International History Olympiad is our biennial competition for the world’s top history students – Team Canada is always well-represented both in terms of Competing Students and on the Medals Table! Held in odd-numbered years, the History Olympiad brings together the top history students from over twenty countries for an unforgettable week full of competitions, field trip and sightseeing opportunities, and a chance to meet students with similar interests and talents from around the world. Any student who qualifies for the Canadian Championships of the International History Bee or International History Bowl in the two school years prior to the History Olympiad is eligible to attend. Students may also qualify by taking the International History Olympiad Qualifying Exam. The most recent International History Olympiad was held in 2025 at École Jeannine Manuel in Paris with 432 competing students! The next International History Olympiad will be held in July 2027. Further details on the exact date and location will be posted here soon. For further questions on the International History Olympiad, please see the FAQ page or email olympiad@iacompetitions.com.
International Geography Championships
The International Geography Championships is our biennial world championship-level event for the world’s best geography students. Held in even-numbered years, IGC alternates with its sister competition, the International History Olympiad. As with the History Olympiad, IGC is a week-long event which features dozens of geography-themed competitions, as well as field trips, social events, and much more. Students in Canada can qualify for IGC by taking part in the International Geography Bee, International Geography Bowl, or through the IGC Qualifying Exam. All students who qualify for the International Geography Bee Canadian Championships in the two school years prior to IGC are eligible to attend. The most recent International Geography Championships was held from July 5-12, 2026 at the JW Marriott Khao Lak Resort and Spa in Khao Lak, Thailand with 251 competing students! The next International Geography Championships will take place in July 2028 in Europe. Further details regarding the exact dates and location will be announced by the end of 2026. For further questions on IGC, please see the FAQ page or email igc@iacompetitions.com.
International Science Championships
International Academic Competitions will be organizing the inaugural International Science Championships for the world’s top science students and their families in Washington, DC and Arlington, Virginia, USA in Summer 2028. The International Science Championships will be held on a biennial basis and function similarly to the International History Olympiad and International Geography Championships with a mix of buzzer-based quiz tournaments, exams, fieldwork and lab work, other competitions, ceremonies, and more. ISC will also feature a Family and Friends Program. Students can qualify for ISC through the ISC Qualifying Exam or through having qualified for the International Science Bee Canadian Championships. For further questions regarding the International Science Championships, please email help@iacompetitions.com.
International Environmental Science Olympiad
International Academic Competitions organized the inaugural International Environmental Science Olympiad (IESO) for our science players and their families in Puerto Rico in December 2024. IESO is now in the middle of a 4.5 year-long redesign and will return in Summer 2029 as a week-long event, which will then be held biennially. The International Environmental Science Olympiad is similar to IAC’s other world championship competitions, but its theme is specific to environmental science. IESO thus consists of competitions, field trips, ceremonies, and other events. A particular emphasis will be placed on fieldwork and interaction with various biomes.
Please note that at the Varsity (11th and 12th grade) Division level, participation at IESO will be limited to country-based teams with 6 students each. A Canadian team is expected to attend; details on how to qualify for it will be posted here when available. For students in the younger age divisions, qualification will function in an identical way to the International Science Championships, with the exception of the IESO Qualifying Exam replacing the ISC Qualifying Exam. IESO also features a Family and Friends Program.
For further questions regarding the International Environmental Science Olympiad, please see the FAQ page or email ieso@iacompetitions.com.