Department of Science hosts high school competitions

The Trine University Department of Science participated in the 2017 U.S. National Chemistry Olympiad (USNCO) by hosting nine students from area high schools on campus to participate in the National Olympiad on April 21.

Retired chemistry professor Chet Pinkam directed the competition in the new chemistry labs in Best Hall. The primary goals of this program are to stimulate interest and achievement in chemistry among high school students throughout the United States and to provide recognition of outstanding young chemistry students, teachers and schools.

Students competing in the USNCO are eligible to be selected as members of the United States team for the International Chemistry Olympiad (IChO). For the past 33 years, the United States has sent a team of four students to compete with nations around the world at the IChO. The students participate in both theoretical and laboratory examinations over several days. Gold, silver and bronze medals are awarded to the best performers, and the IChO provides students the opportunity to interact with their peers from other countries.

This year the international event will be held in Nakhom Pathon, Thailand, July 6-15, 2017.

The department also hosted the annual American Chemical Society scholarship exam on April 22.  Twenty-eight students from area high schools took the exam on campus to compete for college scholarship money given by the local section of ACS.  The top 10 students will receive an invitation to the annual ACS banquet where they will receive certificates and monetary scholarship awards.  Trine chemistry faculty members created and proctored the two-hour exam.