Friday, 11 April 2025
Budding young scientists from across the UK have arrived at the Unversity of Nottingham to flex their chemistry muscles in the final round of the UK Chemistry Olympiad (UKChO) competition where four finalists will be selected.
Thirty 16-18 year-olds will spend the weekend at the University to take part in the final round of the UK Chemistry Olympiad competition run by the Royal Society of Chemistry.
This is the third year the University’s School of Chemistry have hosted the final round of the annual competition that is designed to challenge and inspire the next generation of scientists. The UK Chemistry Olympiad is a unique opportunity for students to push themselves further and excel in the field of chemistry.
During the weekend of specially designed activities, budding chemists will develop critical problem-solving skills, learn to think more creatively and get a chance to test their knowledge in new, real-world situations.
At the end of the weekend, the four top performing students will be selected to represent the UK at the prestigious International Chemistry Olympiad final being held this July in the United Arab Emirates.
The students taking part have already excelled in the national qualifying round taken in their schools and will now have the opportunity to develop their skills in a university laboratory. They will be using state-of-the-art equipment in the School of Chemistry’s STEM laboratory where they will be guided through practical sessions that will introduce them to new lab techniques and develop problem solving skills. Students’ practical and written skills will also be tested in exam conditions. They will also have a formal dinner, team building activities and time to enjoy the University campus.
This is such an exciting event for young scientists to be involved in as it allows them to really expand on what they’re doing in school and sample University level learning. The competitive element adds intensity, but we make sure they all have fun, get time to relax and sample a little of University life – they have all worked so hard to be here so we want to make sure they have the best time possible!
Dr Ben Pilgrim, a Royal Society University Research Fellow from the University of Nottingham’s School of Chemistry leads the academic side of the UK Chemistry Olympiad programme, having been the chief examiner for the national rounds and the Head Mentor of the UK delegation at the International Final for several years. He has volunteered for the Olympiad for 16 years and has driven access and participation in the Olympiad; the number of competition entries has doubled over the past decade.
I do much of this outreach work in my spare time and seeing how students can be inspired by chemistry is the reward for me in many ways, particularly if through my work students have been encouraged to pursue their study of chemistry to a higher level.
Previous students who have taken part have said: ‘It can help make difficult A-level questions easier, as you get used to different, harder ways of asking questions, and so would be good preparation for the chemistry A-level exam.’
Another added: “Not only was it a great experience, I feel like it will be a huge asset to my UCAS application.”
Story credits
More information is available from Dr Sam Tang on Samantha.tang@nottingham.ac.uk
Notes to editors:
About the University of Nottingham
Ranked 24 in Europe and 15th in the UK by the QS World University Rankings: Europe 2024, the University of Nottingham is a founding member of Russell Group of research-intensive universities. Studying at the University of Nottingham is a life-changing experience, and we pride ourselves on unlocking the potential of our students. We have a pioneering spirit, expressed in the vision of our founder Sir Jesse Boot, which has seen us lead the way in establishing campuses in China and Malaysia - part of a globally connected network of education, research and industrial engagement.
Nottingham was crowned Sports University of the Year by The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024 – the third time it has been given the honour since 2018 – and by the Daily Mail University Guide 2024.
The university is among the best universities in the UK for the strength of our research, positioned seventh for research power in the UK according to REF 2021. The birthplace of discoveries such as MRI and ibuprofen, our innovations transform lives and tackle global problems such as sustainable food supplies, ending modern slavery, developing greener transport, and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
The university is a major employer and industry partner - locally and globally - and our graduates are the third most targeted by the UK's top employers, according to The Graduate Market in 2024 report by High Fliers Research.
We lead the Universities for Nottingham initiative, in partnership with Nottingham Trent University, a pioneering collaboration between the city’s two world-class institutions to improve levels of prosperity, opportunity, sustainability, health and wellbeing for residents in the city and region we are proud to call home.
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