Defiance College is area host site for 
International Chemistry Olympiad test

DEFIANCE, Ohio – Defiance College will be the host exam site for the Toledo section of the American Chemical Society. The national exam will be taken by local high school students and it may qualify them to become members of the U.S. National Chemistry Olympiad team that will compete in the 44th International Chemistry Olympiad (IChO) in Washington, D.C. July 19-30, 2012.

The six outstanding high school chemistry students taking the exam are Jan Pietrykovski and Lin Derrick, both from Tinora High School; Brian May and Michaela Marincic from Findlay High School; Michael Wolff from Ottawa Hills High School; and Tyler Mack from Northwood High School.

The IChO involves a series of theoretical exams, laboratory exercises, and other activities aimed at identifying the best chemistry students from participating nations from around the world. The U.S. has participated in this event since 1984. In 2011, the U.S. team won two gold and two silver medals. A total of 273 students represented 70 countries at the 43rd IChO, in Ankara, Turkey.

The six local nominees are among more than1,200 nationwide that will take a national qualifying exam April 22 at Defiance College to select finalists. Twenty students will be identified and will undergo intensive training June 5-20 at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado. The top four will be chosen to represent the U.S. in the 44th IChO competition.

Founded in 1876 and chartered by Congress, the American Chemical Society is a nonprofit scientific and educational organization dedicated to the advancement of chemistry in the public interest. The Toledo section is one of 189 across the nation serving more than 160,000 members.

April 19,2012