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CHEMISTRY OLYMPIAD

The International Chemistry-Olympiad is a worldwide competition for high school students that are interested in chemistry. Since 1967 it is hosted every year in a different country (e. g. 2004 in Kiel/Germany). The first olympiads started as "regional" competition between countries from the former Soviet Union, but quickly took on a global scale with today nearly 70 participating countries. Each country can send a delegation of up to 4 students that have to solve both theoretical and practical problems in chemistry that often surpass concepts learned in high school chemistry, and can win gold, silver and bronze medals. Apart from the prices, the olympic motto: "Participation is everything!" is fulfilled at its best. An attractive social and scientific program accompanies the competition.

German selection process

The German team is selected during 4 rounds, the total selection process already starts one year in advance. The Insitute for the Pedagogics of natural sciences (IPN) is responsible for selecting Germany's chemistry talents. The competition is supported by the Ministry of Education. Tasks of the German selection process can be found in the folder national.

Round 1

The first round compromise of open book homework. Exercises are designed to be attractive to a large group of high school students.

Round 2

Students that successfully passed the first hurdle, are asked to send in answers to a second set of questions. This time, the level often goes far beyond topics that are covered in class and ask a lot of endurance from the students.

Round 3

In the following 3rd round the best 60 students are invited to a national seminar week in which - apart from interesting scientific talks and excursions and social events - 15 students are selected for the final round during 2 written exams.

Round 4

The remaining 15 students are invited for a week in the chemistry laboratories of the Institute for the Pedagogics of Natural Sciences (IPN) in Kiel. There, the German team is selected that represents Germany at the next International Chemistry-Olympiad.