XVIII Latin American Astronomy and Astronautics Olympiad 2026: Panama Wins Five Medals

The Panamanian delegation had an outstanding participation in the XVIII Latin American Olympiad of Astronomy and Astronautics (OLAA 2026) by winning five medals: one gold, two silver and two bronze. 

The official announcement was made this Sunday, November 8, during the closing ceremony of the international meeting, which is being held from November 1 to 9 in Paraguay. During the competition, participants faced
demanding theoretical assessments, astronomical observation tests, and practical rocketry workshops.

The top gold award was won by Asdrúbal Castillo, representing the San Miguelito Cultural Institute. The silver medals went to Toni Zhu, from the San Cristóbal Episcopal Institute, and Liam Cao Li, from the Fermín Naudeau Institute, both in Panama City. 

The medal table was completed with the bronze medals won by Frederic Gillet, from the Alfred B. Nobel Bilingual School (Panama West), and Cadmiel Sandoval, from the Eben-Ezer Bilingual School (Colón).

The students attended accompanied by Eng. Megan Carrera, from the National Directorate of Space Sciences (Dinace), and Lic. Enith Rodríguez, project coordinator of the National Secretariat of Science, Technology and Innovation (Senacyt). 

The five young people achieved their qualification after obtaining the highest scores in the IX Panamanian Space Science Olympiad (OliPaCE), organized by Senacyt together with the City of Knowledge Foundation, in which they measured their knowledge in physics, mathematics, astronomy, astrophysics and rocketry against 35 other outstanding competitors at the national level.

The country’s outstanding representation reflects the institutional commitment to awakening scientific vocations, encouraging critical thinking, and fostering youth interest in space sciences.