The ICQ (formaly ANCQ) stands out as a unique chemistry education initiative, providing a dynamic and focused exploration of chemistry for school students between years 7 - 12. It aims to kindle interest in chemistry and underscore the crucial role of chemists in society. It serves as an opportunity for teachers to gauge their students' understanding of chemistry and acts as a platform to encourage students to pursue studies and careers in chemistry. Going beyond standard syllabus content, the Quiz is designed to be engaging and thought-provoking. With questions that encourage students to apply their knowledge to real-world scenarios, ICQ is truly an international competition, attracting participants from Australia and across the world. Come explore the world of chemistry!
The Australian National Chemistry Quiz conducted in Sri Lanka is a unique chemical education activity designed to promote Chemistry among younger generation. It aims to promote interest in and appreciation of the role of chemistry and chemists in our society and engender a better understanding of the nature and relevance of chemistry amongst students. The Quiz provides a major focus for secondary school students on the relevance of chemistry in an exciting and stimulating way.
The Competition is held annually in the month of July by the Royal Australian Chemistry Institute, (RACI) which is the professional body for chemists in Australia and founded in 1917. Over the years the competition has been conducted in a number of countries, especially, in the Asia Pacific Region. These countries include New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Fijii, Philippines, Vietnam, Cambodia, Western Samoa, Israel, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei, Switzerland, England, India and Sri Lanka.
The competition is conducted at two levels corresponding to the Australian School Years of 7-10 (Junior Level) and 11-12 (senior level). The corresponding Sri Lankan Grades are 8-11 (Junior Level) and 12-13 (Senior Level). Multiple choice question papers comprising 30 questions are set for each level for the one hour and fifteen minutes test that is conducted in a number of countries.
On account of the widely varying cultures and differences in course contents that the students are exposed to in the various countries, there is no inter - country competition. Student performances which are assessed on optical mark readers in Australia, are compared with a given country and three types of certificates (Higher Distinction, Distinction and Credit) are awarded to about 40% of the candidates appearing from each country. Certificates of Excellence are awarded to those students who answer all the 30 questions correctly. Plaques are also awarded to very good performers by the RACI. Questions set for the quiz competition are intended primarily as an education tool. The unique feature of the question paper is that, there is a wealth of general as well as chemistry based information in every question paper which would be beneficial to the student in enhancing his knowledge.
Prof. Charles Fogliani from the Charles Steurt-Mitchell University in Bathurst, NSW, Australia has been the Australian National Organizer of this competition for many years. He presented a paper on the competition at the 6th Asian Chemical Congress of the Federation of Asian Chemical Societies held in Manila in the Philippines in May 1995, at which late Prof. J.N.O. Fernando (former honorary Rector of the College of Chemical Sciences) was present. Prof. Fogliani invited other countries to participate in this competition thereby internationalizing the contest as much as possible. Professor Fernando could therefore, pursue the matter and having received approval of the Council of the Institute of Chemistry Ceylon, made further discussions with Prof. Fogliani when he attended the International Conference on Chemical Education in July 1996 in Brisbane, Australia. The arrangements were finalized and it was mutually agreed to conduct the competition in Sri Lanka for the first time in July 1997.
Conducting the competition in English medium was very convenient as the Australian Organizers provided the question papers in English language, multiple choice answer sheets and other necessary material. However, in Sri Lanka, the Institute of Chemistry Ceylon (IChemC) had to make arrangements to translate the question paper into Sinhala and Tamil languages too, and print the required number of question papers with the little resources available with the Institute. With the support extended by the Australian organizers, the Institute of Chemistry Ceylon took up the challenge and conducted the competition for the first time in Sri Lanka in July 1997. Initially the competition was restricted to one level (Sri Lankan Grade 12) in about 20 schools. Since the Institute has been conducting an All Island Interschool Chemistry Quiz Competition for GCE (Advanced level) students in the year 13 from 1986, it was agreed to conduct the Australian Chemistry Quiz Competition amongst year 11 (Junior Grade) students in the GCE (Ordinary Level) classes. This has widened the extent of student participation in this competition which is intended to increase interest and enthusiasm of students in chemistry and to provide useful chemical education to them. The total number of applications received during the past 18 years was 266,000 reflecting the increasing interest and enthusiasm of the students to participate in the Quiz Program.
The Institute of Chemistry Ceylon coordinates the matters related to conduct of the examination with the Ministry of Education and the cooperation extended by the Ministry staff, Zonal Directors and Coordinators has been praiseworthy. The supervisors, Assistant supervisors and the other staff of the schools extend their fullest cooperation in conducting the examination annually. The Ministry of Education has highly appreciated the contribution and efforts made by the Institute of Chemistry Ceylon in educating the student community in the country through activities of this nature. The Chief Supervisors and the Academic and Non Academic staff of the Institute play an important role in translation, duplication, distribution and conducting the exam as well as collecting the results sheets and sending them to Australian Authorities. The plaques and certificates are printed and sent to Sri Lanka by the Royal Australian Chemistry Institute.
a) To inculcate interest in the students for further study of science in general and chemistry in particular.
b) To promote and encourage an awareness of the nature and relevance of science/chemistry amongst school students.
c) To emphasis the connection between the academic image of science/chemistry and its day to day applications in the home, the environment and industry.
d) To encourage participation in a challenging and rewarding activity.
e) To create awareness among students, the important role chemistry has to play in our society.
f) To increase problem solving ability and observation. Participate in ANCQ will help students to learn how to solve problems based on Higher Order Thinking skills (HOS) and question papers will serve an effective practice tool.
The Institute of Chemistry Ceylon will conduct the International Chemistry Quiz (I.C.Q) in Sri Lanka this July. The quiz will be conducted in two categories:
Junior Division – for Sri Lankan students appearing for O/L exams in 2025.
Senior Division – for Sri Lankan students appearing for A/L exams in 2026.
Application Process: Students can download the application form from the official website (https://ichemc.ac.lk/) or use the application form given below. Duly filled application can be sent via post (341/22, Kotte Road, Welikada, Rajagiriya) or email ([email protected]).
Year 12 students who answer all 30 questions correctly will receive a full scholarship to enroll in the Graduateship in Chemistry programme, a four year professional degree at the Institute of Chemistry Ceylon, starting in 2026.
Interested students can apply directly to the Institute. Their class teacher must verify their academic year, and applications should be submitted along with a Rs.1500 payment receipt (Bank of Ceylon, Rajagiriya Branch, Account No. 3271080). The deadline for submission is March 8th, 2025.