On August 1, Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech) Department of Chemistry continued its support for Guiyang No. 1 High School in Chemistry Olympiad training. It is the first time SUSTech held a Chemistry Olympiad training in a high school.
28 students and 11 teachers from Guiyang No. 1 High School attended the five-day training session. Department of Chemistry engineers Fang FANG and Yuena YU joined laboratory teacher Juxiang RUAN in supporting the training session on site.
The training sessions were split into two modules, analytical and organic chemistry, which matched the High School curriculum. Students were able to apply their theoretical knowledge by carrying out experiments and cultivate their chemistry knowledge.
Laboratory teacher Juxiang RUAN covered the analytical chemistry modules in detail and led the students through hands-on experiments. It provided the students with a more in-depth insight into how to apply their theoretical knowledge and enrich their chemical cognition.
Both Fang FANG and Yuena YU taught the organic chemistry modules, consolidating their existing knowledge in a systematic and detailed manner.
The students were thrilled with the training. Many said that they had become far more interested in the study of chemistry, and it had laid the foundation for the scientific research that some will undertake in the future. The integration of theory and practice was the source of considerable praise by both students and teachers, who found it an excellent way to learn.
SUSTech has considerable experience with Chemistry Olympiads. It had previously hosted the 31st China Chemistry Olympiad final and winter camp in 2017. SUSTech also hosted the Chinese team for their training ahead of the 50th International Chemistry Olympiad (IChO) in 2018. At IChO 2018, all four students won gold medals, including in areas such as individual experiments, knowledge of theory, and overall score.
