Chemistry Olympiad Coordinators

Coordinator Handbook

Everything you need to know about coordinating competitions and administering exams is in the U.S. National Chemistry Olympiad Coordinator Handbook .

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are quick answers to the most commonly asked questions from coordinators.

How do I register my local section to participate in this year’s Olympiad program?
Contact your local section chair or the USNCO office.
Where do I get exams?
Send an email to usnco@acs.org to request an order form. Local Exams are ordered from the USNCO office.
How do I know what materials and chemicals I will need for the competition lab practical?
A preliminary listing of materials and chemicals to prepare for the lab practical is sent electronically. You will receive a final material list by mail before the national examination. Contact usnco@acs.org for more information.
What are the rules for the national exam?
You can review rules online or find them in the Coordinator Handbook.
What if I have a repeater? Does that affect my allotment?
For the national examination, your section will have 10 or more participants, depending on the size of the section. Students who have participated in the study camp are automatically eligible to take the national examination. If you have repeaters, you can still have your allotment of new participants.

2011-2012 Schedule

Date	What’s Happening?	Affects Whom?	Action Required
2011
Oct. 14	Invitations to participate in the 2012 U.S. National Chemistry Olympiad emailed to all ACS local section chairs, chair elects and current Olympiad coordinators	Olympiad Coordinators ACS Local Section Chairs Chair-elects	Contact the USNCO national office for an Olympiad Participation Form.
Nov. 15	Olympiad program package mailed to coordinators Includes student allotment for national exam and promotional posters. Printed mailing labels available upon request.	Coordinators	Provide content to chemistry teachers at high schools within your local section.
2012
Jan. 20	Participation Response Form Due!	Coordinators	Submit the ACS Local Section 2011 Participation Response Form to the USNCO national office.
Jan. 27	Deadline to order local examinations	Coordinators	Order local examinations from the USNCO office. Order forms available through the USNCO national office (There is a 25% surcharge for late orders).
Feb. 13	Local exams mailed to local sections	Coordinators	Confirm the receipt of exams.
Mar. 1-31	Chemistry Olympiad local examinations administered Answer key for local exams will be available on April 5, 2012	Coordinators Students	Coordinators identify students for the National Chemistry Olympiad competition.
Apr. 4	Lab practical sites due!	Coordinators	Submit a list of all lab practical sites to the USNCO office to obtain insurance coverage.
Apr. 5	1. National Exams mailed to participating local section 2. Nominee List and Certificate Request form due!	Coordinators	1. Confirm the receipt of exams. 2. Submit the 2012 Nominee List and Certificate Request Form to the USNCO office.
Apr. 19-23	U.S. National Chemistry Olympiad Exam Administered Answer key for Part I-Multiple Choice of the exam will be available on May 4, 2012	Students Coordinators
Apr. 25	National exams due for grading Exams received after this date will not be graded	Coordinators	Send exam answer sheets in the prepaid envelopes to the USNCO office.
May 4	Top 20 students announced Coordinators for selected students will be contacted by phone. All other sections will be notified by e-mail.	Students Coordinators	Coordinators inform students chosen to attend the study camp.
June 5-20	Top 20 students attend Olympiad Study Camp	Students Mentors
June 21	U.S. team for the International Chemistry Olympiad announced	Students Mentors
July 21-30	U.S. team competes in the 44th International Chemistry Olympiad competition in Washington, D.C., USA.	Students Mentors