Chemistry Olympiad, UK success

David Edey, 17, scored an almost perfect 94.8 per cent in the gruelling final exam of the 43rd International Chemistry Olympiad, held in Turkey earlier this summer. David was competing against 272 students from 70 countries.

The final exam - a five hour practical and three hour theoretical exam - is the culmination of a series of tests that students must pass before being selected for their national team. Round one is a challenging two hour paper taken at the students' own school.

The University of Cambridge hosted the second round, where students sat a three hour practical exam followed by a three hour theoretical exam. The top four students were selected to form the UK Team who travelled to Turkey. Travelling with David were Abdul Mohamad, from King Edward VIth Grammar School, Chelmsford, Nicholas Parker, from Haberdashers' Askes Boys' School, Elstree and Douglas Buisson, from Hills Road Sixth Form College, Cambridge. In addition to David's gold medal, the team also picked up a silver and a bronze medal for their achievements.

The foursome participated in a training week at the University of Cambridge before the competition. They departed for Turkey after meeting with David Phillips, President of the RSC, and representatives of chemicals company Ineos, which support the competition.

David Edey said 'I had an amazing time, both in meeting like-minded chemists from across the world, and experiencing all the culture that Turkey has to offer'.

David is now studying maths at St Catharine's College, Cambridge. 'I was torn between maths and natural sciences or chemistry for a long time over the summer, especially after the experience of the International Chemistry Olympiad in Japan last year!' he said.

Registration for the first round of the 2012 International Chemistry Olympiad, will open in October 2011 .   

Information is available on the RSC website.