2024 IESO Costs
The costs for the 2024 International Environmental Science Olympiad are as follows. Please also note the following payment options and fees:
A. Credit card payment (incurs 4% transaction charge)
B. Payment by wire transfer (incurs flat $35 transaction charge per transfer regardless of amount)
C. Payment by US $ denominated check (no transaction charge)
The registration deadline is December 3, and the payment deadline is December 6.
Refund Policy: All fees are refundable (except for the transaction charges for credit card payments and wire transfer payments, which are non-refundable at all dates) in full minus a $50 processing fee through November 15, 2024. From November 15, 2024-December 1, 2024, payments are refundable at a 50% rate. After December 1, no refunds are available.
1. Base Fee for Competing Students
$1175 per competing student
This includes all program fees; sightseeing, bus transportation (for the Science Park, Rainforest Hike, and Beach Ecology Fieldwork); and a commemorative souvenir pack, including T-shirt, pin, hat, pencils, drawstring backpack bag, and water bottle. It does not include meals or food. Food will not be available at the school itself, but there are numerous fast food and sit-down restaurants within a 5 minute walk of the school where food can be purchased. Lunch can also be ordered to the school or brought with students at the start of the day.
2. Optional Unaccompanied Student Supplement
$875 – Only an option for competing students in the High School Division, not for other students or Family and Friends Program members (includes 5 nights accommodation (from December 27-January 1), staff supervision (including travel to and from the host school each morning and evening), and airport pick-up and drop-off)
All students in the Middle School and Elementary School Divisions must attend IESO with a parent(s) or other adult guardian(s). If both families provide a signed letter in agreement, it is possible for a student’s guardian to be another student’s parent or guardian. Students in these age divisions must find accommodations on their own with their families.
High School Division students only have the option to attend IESO on their own if they are coming without a parent or guardian (though of course they are welcome to come with family members as well). High School Division students whose family members are coming with them must stay with their families. If High School Division students are coming on their own, we will provide accommodations for them for the supplemental fee of $875 (this amount is comparatively higher than for unaccompanied students at our summer events, as accommodations are expensive in Puerto Rico during the holiday break). All students who will be coming and staying in IAC provided accommodations will stay in double occupancy rooms (each room has two separate beds) at 2.5-3.5 star hotels and will be accompanied by staff members at all times. Hotels will be determined upon registration. Students should bring money for meals, which are not included.
We will provide staff-chaperoned pick-ups and drop-offs at the San Juan International Airport solely for unaccompanied High School Division students.
3. Family & Friends Program
The Family & Friends Program has two options: Extended and Basic. These are described below.
The costs of the Extended Family & Friends Program are as follows:
$375 for anyone born before July 21, 2012
$275 for anyone born July 21, 2012-July 20, 2016
$175 for anyone born July 21, 2016-July 20, 2019
Children born from July 21, 2019 onwards are free, though note that some sightseeing may not be suitable for the youngest children. The price of the Family & Friends program includes the following:
1. All sightseeing entry and tour guides (for the Rainforest Hike, Birds of Puerto Rico Trip, and Beach Ecology Walk) during the times marked in dark blue on the schedule.
2. Any Multiple Choice Exam (i.e. Battery, Climate Change, Meteorology, Oceanography) all of which have Family & Friends Divisions – there will be separate awards for adults, older children, and younger children)
3. The Environmental Science Bee and the Zoology Bee. There will be separate divisions and awards for adults, older children, and younger children.
4. The Old San Juan Family Scavenger Hunt
5. The Family Beach Quiz
6. Access to the host school, including all events which are open to spectators, Medals Ceremonies, the Opening Ceremonies and Closing Ceremonies. Access to the host school is not allowed to anyone not participating in the Family & Friends Program.
7. A commemorative souvenir pack, including T-shirt, pin, hat, pencils, drawstring backpack bag, and water bottle.
Please note that the Family & Friends Program Extended Option does not include accommodations or meals, except for the Rainforest Alliance Coffee Break and the Family and Friends Closing Reception, both of which will feature light refreshments.
The costs of the Basic Family & Friends Program are as follows:
$125 per family member, regardless of age, with the exception of children born from July 21, 2019 onwards who are free. The price of the Basic Family & Friends program includes the following:
1. The Basic Option includes access to the host school and to all ceremonies and competitions that are open to spectators (remember, some, like exams, are not open to any spectators). The fees are charged as we still need to keep track of the number of people in the school at all times and prevent people who are not affiliated with IESO from entering the building, ensure that we do not have too many people in any one space and run afoul of fire codes, and provide staff for additional security.
2. The Basic Option does not include any sightseeing entry fees, nor does it include any souvenirs.
3. The Basic Option does not allow people registering under this option to themselves compete in any competitions in the Family and Friends Division.
4. Base Fee for Puerto Rican Students
Students from Puerto Rico have the option to just do competitions and the beach ecology field trip for a base fee of $750. If they wish to participate in field trips, then they need to pay the full fee of $1175.