Chemistry Olympiad Coordinators
Everything you need to know about coordinating competitions and administering exams is in the U.S. National Chemistry Olympiad Coordinator Handbook. 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. 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.
Schedule
| Date/What | Affects Whom | Action Required |
| October 15, 2009 | ||
|
• Olympiad Coordinators • ACS Local Section Chairs • Chair-elects | • Contact the USNCO national office for an Olympiad Participation Form. |
| November 20, 2009 | ||
| Olympiad program package mailed to coordinators (Includes student allotment for national exam and promotional posters. Mailing labels available upon request) | Coordinators | • Provide content to chemistry teachers at high schools within your local section. |
| January 22, 2010 | ||
| Participation Response Form Due! | Coordinators | • Submit the ACS Local Section 2010 Participation Response Form to the USNCO national office. |
| January 25, 2010 | ||
| 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). |
| January 29, 2010 | ||
| Mentor applications due! | College mentor applicants | • Submit an Olympiad Mentor Application Form to the USNCO national office. • Review mentor guidelines and responsibilities. |
| February 15, 2010 | ||
| Local exams mailed to local sections | Coordinators | |
| March 1-31, 2010 | ||
| Chemistry Olympiad local examinations administered (Answer key for local exams will be available on April 5, 2010) | Coordinators Students |
• Coordinators identify students for the National Chemistry Olympiad competition. |
| March 31, 2010 | ||
| Lab practical sites due! | Coordinators | • Submit a list of all lab practical sites to the USNCO office to obtain insurance coverage. |
| April 5, 2010 | ||
| National Exams mailed to participating local section | Coordinators | |
| April 16, 2010 | ||
| Certificate Request forms due! | Coordinators | • Submit the 2010 Certificate Request Form to the USNCO office. (available soon) |
| April 22-26, 2010 | ||
| U.S. National Chemistry Olympiad Exam Administered (Answer key for Part I-Multiple Choice of the exam will be available on May 5) | • Students • Coordinators | |
| April 28, 2010 | ||
| National exams due for grading Important: Exams received after this date will not be graded | Coordinators | • Send exam answer sheets via UPS in the prepaid envelopes to the USNCO office. |
| May 3, 2010 | ||
| 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 9-24, 2010 | ||
| Top 20 students attend Olympiad Study Camp | • Students • Mentors | |
| June 24, 2010 | ||
| U.S. team for the International Chemistry Olympiad announced | • Students • Mentors | |
| July 19-28, 2010 | ||
| U.S. team competes in the International Chemistry Olympiad competition in Tokyo, Japan. | • Students • Mentors | |