AlzChem GmbH - die Welt der Spezialchemie
AlzChem - ein starker und innovativer Partner - AlzChem
Press Release (10.02.2012) - "Bunsen burners at the ready..., get set...!"20 participants from the 44th International Chemistry Olympiad (IChO) visit TROSTBERG CHEMICAL PARK.
For 20 participants in this year's 17th state seminar on the International Chemistry Olympiad it’s "Bunsen burners at the ready…, get set…!" from Monday on. This is the fifth time that the AlzChem and BASF companies are organizing the third round of the Bavarian state seminar. The qualifiers for this round also include Makai Szabolcs, a pupil at the Hertzhaimer grammar school and Ramona Schneider from the Waldkraiburg grammar school.
The young chemistry enthusiasts have to complete a demanding program. It kicks off with a whole day in the training laboratory. The Olympians get the chance to work together with apprentices and trainers to run experiments, cook up a few chemical concoctions and talk shop with the experts. Tuesday begins with the pupils inspecting the Trostberg Chemical Park, then they drive to the AlzChem site at Hart, where they take a close look at carbide production. Next up on the program is a guided tour of the BASF Global Competence Center led by BASF communication head Klaus Kamhuber. This will be followed up by several fascinating technical presentations on environmental protection and personnel development. The high point of the three-day visit will certainly be the lecture on Tuesday evening. Once again BASF researchers Dr. Michael Bräu and Dr. Wolfgang Seidl will be presenting in their own exciting and entertaining way various experiments and chemical reactions, using the heading of “Chemist looking for a wife”.
What is the International Chemistry Olympiad (IChO)?
Every summer, young chemists from more than 60 countries in the world come together to test their knowledge of chemistry in an Olympic contest. The competition takes place every year in a different host country, but always with the Olympic motto in mind: "The most important thing is to take part!". Each nation can send a team to the Chemistry Olympiad that is made up of a maximum four pupils. These pupils then take part individually in a theoretical and practical examination (each lasting five hours), competing against contestants from all over the world.
Because the International Chemistry Olympiad is not a team competition each pupil has a chance to win a gold, silver or bronze medal for him/herself and his or her country. However there is always an unofficial ranking of countries, with Germany coming in strongly.
In addition to the scientific competition the participants and those looking after them can expect a fascinating social and cultural program that highlights the traditions and customs of the host country. On top of this the pupils have the opportunity to network with like-minded young people from across the whole world.
Each country is responsible for selecting the pupils it chooses to send as participants of the IChO. In Germany the candidates are determined through a selection process consisting of four rounds: In the first two rounds pupils from classes up to the 13th grade (or to age 20) work on tasks at home. These tasks are not exactly ones they will find in their everyday textbooks. Although they require creativity and independent initiative, they are far from being impossible to solve".
For the third round 30 pupils in each case are invited to seminars at two separate locations where a theoretical exam is used to select those who will move onto the next round. The end result is that 15 young people will make it through to the fourth round in Kiel. It is not just the pupils’ theoretical knowledge that will be tested at Kiel but also their experimental know-how. Finally this process will determine which four pupils go on to represent Germany at the IChO.
The final this year is being held in Washington DC.
"It is good to know that so many outstanding pupils in Bavaria are keen on science, and especially chemistry. So we are very happy to support events and activities that specifically encourage young people and the upcoming generation, because these young people determine the future. And that is something we want to help shape to the best of our abilities", comments Stefan Greger, AlzChem director and operator of the TROSTBERG CHEMICAL PARK.
Erich Lackner, site coordinator of BASF in Trostberg, speaks along similar lines when he says: “Encouraging and promoting young talent is something that is especially close to our hearts, in particular because BASF is an innovation-driven company. That is why we are pleased to be involved in the state seminar”.
| |||||||
Top
