Each year, the North Jersey Section assists the ACS in its search for the top 20 high school chemistry students in the U.S. From these, the best four are chosen to represent the U.S. in the International Chemistry Olympiad held annually in various cities in the world. The 2009 Olympiad took place in Cambridge, England. [ For full coverage see IChO ]

The entire process begins with a screening test. Accordingly, up to 200 high school students from the NoJ section are nominated by their teachers and given a 1st level screening test at FDU Florham in mid March. From these, a dozen or students are qualified to go on to the 2nd level, the Advanced Test.

At right are the nine North Jersey ACS students who competed in the Advanced Test for 2009. The picture was taken at Fairleigh Dickinson University during the five hour exam. Twenty students from the ACS sections across the country attended a two week study camp at the Air Force Academy in Colorado. From there, four competed in the International Chemistry Olympiad.

Two of the No. Jersey students placed in the top 20 nationally for the 2009 Chemistry Olympiad and went on to the Air Force Academy training camp in June. They are:

This makes seven consecutive years that the North Jersey Section had placed at least one student in the top 20, and we have placed 2 in each of the last 5 years. Congratulations to students and teachers!