The U.S. National Chemistry Olympiad (USNCO) program is a multi-tiered chemistry competition for high school students. The American Chemical Society has sponsored the program since 1984. Students compete for medals and scholarships. One of the goals of the ACSSPS is to increase student and teacher participation in the Chemistry Olympiad.
Dr. Anthony Cozzolino is the chemistry olympiad coordinator for the South Plains Local Section. The first tier, held in March, is a 60-question, 110-minute multiple choice exam that students take at a local university.
The top two participating students from each school may qualify to advance to take the national exam held in April (also at a local university) which includes a lab component. Students may earn medals and scholarship money based on their performance on the local exam and there is no cost to participate .
These students and their parents are also invited to the American Chemical Society South Plains Local Section Awards banquet in April to celebrate their success.
The benefits of participation in the Chemistry Olympiad include:
Academic Enhancement: The competition encourages excellence by challenging students to master college-level chemistry, including inorganic, organic, analytical, and physical chemistry.
College Admissions Edge: Achievement in the Olympiad is highly regarded by top-tier universities.
Skill Development: Beyond factual knowledge, it builds critical problem-solving, laboratory design, and time-management skills that are essential for future scientific careers.
Global Networking: Students that prepare for the exams often meet like-minded students from over 80 nations, fostering international friendship and cultural exchange.
Personal Growth: The rigorous preparation builds immense self-confidence and intellectual resilience.
Rewards and Recognition: Depending on the region and level, students can earn medals, certificates, scholarships, or cash prizes
Check out the details here: https://www.acs.org/education/students/highschool/olympiad.html
For questions on how to prepare students for the Chemistry Olympiad, contact Matt Ryan.