Abbey College chemistry student selected to represent the UK
7th April 20
Abbey College Cambridge are celebrating the success of one of our students in the prestigious Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC)’s Chemistry Olympiad Competition.
Agustin in Year 13, sat the final round of the UK Olympiad at home on Friday 27th March and the College is thrilled to announce that he has been selected to represent the UK in the International Chemistry Olympiad final later in the summer. Agustin is just one of four UK students to be selected by sitting a number of Chemistry tests set by the RSC . He will now receive further specialist training on advanced Chemistry topics ahead of the final.
Agustin competed against students aged 16 or over from all over the UK and had to demonstrate his thinking and problem solving skills, and his knowledge of chemistry.
Agustin has a great love of chemistry and has been offered a place to study Natural Sciences at St Catherine’s College, University of Cambridge in September. “The idea that macroscopic phenomena can be described through chemical models is fascinating. This encouraged me to do further research, and then I realized it, I had wanted to study chemistry at university.” commented Agustin.
He went on to say “The Olympiad itself was quite challenging. However, I was able to push through by applying the knowledge I have learned. Because this success means I am granted such a high honour, which is representing the UK in an international Olympiad, I only feel happy that my effort has paid off.”
Mr Allan Smith Chemistry Teacher at the College has said “Agustin is the hardest working, most enthusiastic and intellectually curious chemistry student we have come across. His success in the Chemistry Olympiad is a testament to his dedication and conscientiousness. Not only does he conduct independent study well beyond the A-Level curriculum, but he is also a good enough experimentalist to carry out his own programme of research in consultation with his teachers. We are very proud of him as a student and as a person.”
The College’s Chemistry Department has an excellent track record of student success in both the Olympiad and the Cambridge Chemistry Challenge. This year we had 19 students sit the Olympiad across year 12 and 13, with 17 gaining awards – a fairly typical year. Last year we had 2 students qualify for round 2 (Agustin being one of them). In the Cambridge Chemistry Challenge, aimed at year 12 students, we usually have at least 20 entries with almost all gaining an award. At least two years in a row we have had students qualify for the residential course at Cambridge University.
Abbey College Cambridge continues to tech and support students remotely during the coronavirus pandemic, Agustin’s success highlights the excellent standards of teaching which the college is able to maintain during these difficult times.
