Events  >> Chemistry Olympiad

The Chemistry Olympiad program is a competition that inspires high school students to excel in chemistry while recognizing exceptional talent among students, teachers, and schools. Countries worldwide select their top-performing students to compete in the International Chemistry Olympiad (IChO).

In the U.S., the selection process, known as the USNCO, involves a multi-level competition sponsored by the American Chemical Society (ACS) and managed by its local sections. It begins with the Local Exam, followed by the USNCO National Exam. The top 20 students from the National Exam are invited to a two-week study camp, where four finalists and two alternates are chosen to represent the U.S. at the IChO, held annually in July in a different host country. 

How to Compete in the U.S. Chemistry Olympiad 

Step 1: Register

• Registration opens October 6, 2025

Parents/guardians of students interested in competing must register them with ACS using the USNCO registration platform.  

Step 2: Prepare for the Local Exam

• Exam Window: February 27 – March 16, 2026

The Local Exam is open to all registered high school students. To prepare, review past Local Exams available on the USNCO website. Local ACS sections will administer the exam and select nominees for the next round. 

Step 3: Compete in the National Exam

• Exam Window: April 10–19, 2026
  
  Students nominated by their local section will take the National Exam, which consists of three parts:

  • Multiple-choice questions

  • Problem-solving and written responses

  • Laboratory practicals

Use past National Exams to prepare. The top 20 scoring students will advance to the Study Camp.

Step 4: Attend the Study Camp

• Dates: May 31 – June 13, 2026
  
  The top 20 students from the National Exam will participate in a two-week intensive study camp. This training includes advanced lectures, problem-solving sessions, and lab work. At the end of the camp, four students and two alternates will be selected to represent the U.S. at the International Chemistry Olympiad.

Step 5: Compete in the International Chemistry Olympiad (IChO)

• Dates: July 10–19, 2026
  
  The selected U.S. team will travel to the International Chemistry Olympiad to compete against the best students from around the world. The 2026 IChO will take place in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.

We are incredibly proud of the outstanding academic achievements displayed by high school students in New Haven County and look forward to many more successes of this nature in the years ahead.

We are delighted to report that Ms. Michelle Lu (Pomperaug High School) received High Honors for her performance in the USNCO National Exam, ranking among the top 50 students. Additionally, Mr. Prastik Mohanraj (Engineering & Science University Magnet School) and Ms. Hyunseo (Ariel) Kim (Choate Rosemary Hall) earned Honors, ranking among the top 51-144 students in the same competition. Notably, Mr. Mohanraj was also the ACS winner at the New Haven Science Fair.

Ms. Michelle Lu’s exceptional performance in this year’s Chemistry Olympiad, earning a Gold Medal, continues a proud tradition of excellence among New Haven County high school students. This tradition began several years ago with Ms. Jenny Lu—yes, Michelle’s older sister!—who earned a Bronze Medal at the 2008 IChO (Budapest, Hungary). 

It was further extended by Mr. Alexander Siegenfeld, a Gold Medalist at the 2010 IChO (Tokyo, Japan), and Mr. James Deng, a Silver Medalist at the 2012 IChO (Washington, D.C., USA).

These achievements exemplify the remarkable talent and dedication of our local students, and we couldn’t be prouder!