16 – 25 July 2023
IChO 2023 - International Chemistry Olympiad 2023
The first IChO in Switzerland! From 16 - 25 July 2023 more than 900 participants, mentors and volunteers from over 90 countries are expected to attend the International Chemistry Olympiad 2023. Besides two chemistry exams the young talents will experience a wide range of cultural activities, Swiss business and lifestyle as well as the picturesque landscape of Switzerland.
Background
The International Chemistry Olympiad (IChO) is an annual international competition for talented young students in secondary schools and colleges. The first IChO took place in Prague in 1968. Since 1987, Switzerland has sent delegations to more than 30 IChOs but has never been a host country itself. The time has come in 2023! The Swiss Chemistry Olympiad Association (SwissChO) and ETH Zurich have been awarded the contract to host the event in Switzerland.
NUMBERS AND FACTS
Where
When
Organizers
Delegations
Participants
ETH Zurich Hönggerberg / Switzerland
16 – 25 July 2023
ETH Zurich Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich
D-CHAB Departement of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences of ETH Zurich
SwissChO Swiss Chemistry Olympiad Association
SO Association of Swiss Science Olympiads
SCS Swiss Chemical Society
Up to 91 countries
over 900 people
EXPECTED PARTICIPANTS
364
Young international chemistry talents between 16 and 19 years of age
182
Mentors
200
Observers and guests
200
Volunteers and organizers
Goals
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Promoting young talents in STEM* subjects - especially chemistry - with an attractive extracurricular
educational programme -
Motivating young people from all over the world to study chemistry in Switzerland
-
Media presence both nationally and internationally
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Public relations work on the topic of chemistry using an image campaign
-
Positioning Switzerland as a leading location for education, industry and research
* Science, Technology, Engineering and Math
In addition to its scientific aspect the IChO supports international exchange and diplomatic relations. The participants from all over the world are ambassadors and the decision makers of the future. Back in their home country they shall talk about Switzerland as a location for outstanding education, innovative research and a thriving industry.
Finance
The organisers of the IChO 2023 have committed themselves to cover the accommodation costs of the participants including the social programme for the duration of the event. The delegations participate with a symbolic contribution.
Collaborations will be sought with the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI), a long-time partner of the Science Olympiads, as well as Switzerland Tourism and other important partners. The expenses will mainly have to be borne by fundraising contributions from foundations, companies and private individuals, services and contributions of the organisation team as well as the unpaid work of volunteers.
Reference Projects
Swiss Chemistry Olympiad
The SwissChO is an extracurricular educational offer with an integrated competition for students of high schools and vocational schools. The organisation of the SwissChO, the supervision of the students as well as the participation in the international competitions is handled by the association SwissChO and its volunteers. The association is a member of the SO and is thus in constant exchange with the Olympiads in biology, informatics, geography, mathematics, philosophy, physics, robotics, economics and linguistics.
The International Chemistry Olympiad is a competition for young chemists. Switzerland has participated in the IChO since 1987. The goal of the Olympiads is to challenge and encourage scientifically interested and talented middle school students and to promote international exchange.
For the IChO each delegation can provide a team of a maximum of 4 young people under the age of 20 who have previously been selected in the national Olympiad of their country. In Switzerland, approximately 300 young talents complete the first round of SwissChO each year.
Professor Sarah M. Springman
Honorary President of the IChO 2023 and
former Rector of ETH Zurich
"Please join the movement to enable and support talented young people from around the world to meet together in Zurich at the International Chemistry Olympiad in 2023 to test their knowledge of chemistry and to apply it creatively to solve problems."
A joint project of the following organisers:
With the support of:
