Helsinki to host Chemistry olympiad for Nordic youth

The University of Helsinki will host this year’s Nordic chemistry Olympiad from July 18 to July 21, said a press release.

Organised for the fourth time, the event will attract the best young chemists from Sweden, Norway, Denmark, and Iceland, as well as Finland.

The quartet representing Finland includes high-school graduates of this year; Ville Kukkola from Kajaani, Altti Mäkelä from Rauma, Heikki Simojoki from Tuusula, and Jasu Vehtari from Espoo. University Instructor Kjell Knapas from the University of Helsinki is acting as coach and mentor for the team.

“Even though the olympiad is meant for high-school students and those who have recently graduated, it is so tough that the mere high-school curriculum is not good enough. This is why the Department of Chemistry at the University of Helsinki offers the competitors coaching,” said Knapas.

Having participated in the olympiad himself, and mentored successful teams for several years, Knapas can also give valuable hints about the games themself. The competition assignments include a lab exercise and a theoretical part.

All the competitors are aiming for the world-wide olympiad scheduled to be held on 21-30 July in Paris.