BOSWORTH AS students sat a Chemistry Challenge, which is supported by St. Catharine’s College, Cambridge University, during their summer mini-term. From this AS group, students achieved one Roentgenium, two Gold and six Copper Awards.
The Roentgenium Award winner, Minh Quang Dang, was invited to take part in a residential Chemistry Camp at the University of Cambridge this summer. He was part of an elite group of students who achieved this honour because they achieved the Roentgenium Award in the Chemistry Olympiad in June. In total, just 55 out of a possible 7,229 students were eligible and from that group about 25 attended the Chemistry Camp.
This aim of the competition is to stretch and challenge students interested in chemistry, and it provides an excellent experience for anyone considering taking their studies further. It is set by an experienced team of teachers and university chemists and it is designed to be accessible to Year 12 students but ensures they are taken significantly beyond the syllabus and encouraged to think about science in the way they would at university. It takes the form of a written paper, consisting of two or three questions, to be answered in one 90-minute sitting under supervised conditions in school.
The 2016 Paper was completed by 7,229 entries. The award boundaries are: Roentgenium Award 48-60, Gold Award 33-47, Silver Award 26-32, Copper Award 16-25, No Award 0-15 and all winners receive a certificate along with a report on the paper and a question commentary.
Overall, 55 students won Roentgenium awards (less than one per cent), 541 students won Gold awards (7.4 per cent), 992 students won Silver awards (13.7 per cent) and 2,631 students won Copper awards (36.4 per cent).
Head of Chemistry, Maria Johnstone, believes it is important for students to be tested beyond just the syllabus. She said: “Every year since the start of the present competition, our AS Chemists participate in the C3L6 Challenge. The latest cohort had a record number of students taking part. In an increasingly competitive environment for the students applying for a university course in their A2 year, it is imperative that candidates show involvement in Olympiad-style exams and prove enthusiasm for chemistry beyond the taught topics.”
For further information, contact Bosworth College on 01604 235090 or visit the website www.bosworthcollege.com