When choosing extracurricular activities, focus on quality over quantity. Pick 3-4 meaningful activities that connect to your intended major and show gradual growth over the highschool years. Deep involvement in a few areas is far more valuable than surface-level participation in many.

One excellent opportunity is the National Earth Olympiad (NEO) 2026. Many of our alumni have participated in this competition, making it a strong choice for students interested in Earth Science/ Geophysics, Chemistry (Geochemistry or Environmental Chemistry), Environmental Science and Public Policy, Environmental Engineering, Biology (Ecology, Evolution, and Biodiversity), or Petroleum Engineering.

This year's NEO will feature divisional in-person exams and Group Discussion Tests (GDTs) across all divisions, plus grants and mentorship to help students implement E-STEM action projects. Check here for registration: www.byei.org/neo2026

Here's the official announcement:

National Earth Olympiad (NEO) 2026 returns this year in all its glory - bigger, better, and more exciting than ever!

Bangladesh is a living delta shaped by rivers, sediments, culture, and a rich biodiversity. For centuries, its fertile floodplains, wetlands, forests, and river systems supported rich ecosystems and thriving communities. Today, however, visible fractures run through this delta: polluted rivers, degraded wetlands, declining biodiversity, contaminated water, toxic landfills, and communities pushed to the margins by environmental collapse. These are not isolated incidents. They are the outcome of decades of extractive and short-sighted development choices that have weakened the very ecological systems that once sustained life. Like all fault lines, its cracks need to be sealed through long-term social, political, and scientific movement.

This generation of young thinkers, builders, and leaders holds the potential to reimagine Bangladesh’s relationship with nature and development. By nurturing scientific understanding alongside environmental responsibility, the National Earth Olympiad 2026 seeks to inspire a future in which learning directly contributes to ecological restoration and social well-being.

Join NEO 2026 and become part of a growing movement of young people using E-STEM to heal, restore, and renew our shared planet. To learn more and register, please visit: www.byei.org/neo2026