By Carlotta Mohamed
A recent graduate of Stuyvesant High School in Flushing is competing for a spot on a team to represent the United States at the International Chemistry Olympiad overseas from July 19-29. The U.S. team will compete with peers from more than 70 nations for gold, silver and bronze medals.
Andrew Chen emerged from a series of exams taken by nearly 17,000 students across America. Chen was selected as one of the 20 finalists to attend the Chemistry Olympiad Study Camp from June 10-25 at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo., to qualify for the U.S. team, according to Joan Coyle of the American Chemical Society. The ACS is the world’s largest scientific society and not-for-profit organization chartered by Congress, providing access to chemistry-related information and research through its multiple databases, peer-reviewed journals and scientific conferences.
During the camp, students will receive college-level training, with an emphasis on organic chemistry, through a series of lectures, problem-solving exercises, lab work and testing. At the conclusion of camp, the top four scoring students will be named as members of the team and go on to the Olympiad.
“Regardless of whether Chen makes the team, qualifying for the study camp is a huge accomplishment in itself as the competition is fierce, with only 20 students selected to attend,” Coyle said.
The 20 finalists include 16 boys and four girls, representing 13 American Chemical Society local selections and 10 states, according to the ACS. The local competition is open to all high school students, and the ACS Local Sections choose nominees for the national exam.
The U.S. National Chemistry Olympiad program is a chemistry competition for high school students. The purpose of the competition is to stimulate young people to achieve excellence in Chemistry. The American Chemical Society has been sponsoring the program since 1984.
Reach reporter Carlotta Mohamed by e-mail at cmoha
