Washington University Chemistry Tournament Announces Second Annual Competition

ST. LOUIS - Nov. 27, 2016 - PRLog -- After a successful launch of its competition last April, the Washington University Chemistry Tournament (WUCT) will return for its second year on April 8, 2017. WUCT is a chemistry competition for high school students, created and managed by a group of undergraduates at Washington University in St. Louis. In 2016, the tournament drew 180 high school students from Missouri, Indiana, and Illinois to the Danforth Campus for a day of challenging but creative applications of their classroom knowledge to a competitive arena.

  This year's competition will resemble the 2016 tournament but with several important changes based on feedback from last year's competitors and coaches. Students will arrive in teams of six (plus one coach) and compete in a series of individual, group, and head-to-head rounds of exams throughout the day. Each student will take one standard individual exam, but the two extra individual exams of last year will be replaced by the student's choice of one of three topic tests: Chemical Engineering, the Chemistry of Life, and the Chemistry of Coffee. No outside knowledge of these specific topics is necessary; rather, the topic exams are an opportunity for students to see how their classroom chemistry knowledge can be useful in solving real-life problems. In the team round, students will collaborate to answer questions requiring critical thinking and deeper explanations than the individual exams. Finally, the relay round from last year has been revamped and renamed the "Broken Bonds Round" due to its high-energy nature. In this round students will race other teams to see who can answer the most questions both quickly and correctly. At the end of the day, students will attend an awards ceremony where the top individual and team performances will be rewarded. Additionally, teams will have breaks throughout the day to tour the campus, meet other teams, and participate in other fun activities. While students are busy, teachers will have the opportunity to attend workshops demonstrating new ways to engage students in STEM education at the classroom level.

  Registration for WUCT 2017 opens November 28, 2016 and will remain open through February 10, 2017. Thanks to last year's success, the 2017 competition will expand its size to accommodate more teams from across the nation. The registration fee for each 6-person team is $60, with breakfast, lunch, and snacks provided. Team registration can be completed online at http://wuct.wustl.edu and spots will be filled on a first-come basis. The website also contains details about the competition, links to social media, and practice questions.

  Founded on the idea that classroom learning is most effective when applied to a new and challenging environment, WUCT aims to create an atmosphere that emphasizes modern-day issues in science and focuses on problem-solving and teamwork skills that are crucial for success in the professional world. On a broader level, WUCT's goal is to foster an interest in chemistry among students and improve methods of STEM education. Any questions regarding the tournament or requests for financial assistance may be directed to wuct@su.wustl.com.