Annual Rhode Island High School Chemistry Contest

Contact information: Ben Ruekberg

phone, 401-874-4171
fax, 401-874-5072
e-mail, bruekberg@chm.uri.edu

The Annual Rhode Island High School Chemistry Contest was first held in 1921 and established as an annual event in 1933 by Professor Joseph Waite Ince.

Generally, over twenty Rhode Island High Schools participate in the contest, typically bringing around 500 students. The competition consists of a one-hour, forty-five question multiple choice examination. Prizes are awarded to the top team and top three individuals in each of two divisions. Division I comprises students with less than one full year of chemistry and Division II comprises students with more than one year of high school chemistry.

The contest is normally conducted in late May. The test begins at 9:30 a.m. and prizes are awarded at noon in Edwards Auditorium. The tests are given at the University of Rhode Island at two locations: Edwards Auditorium and Chafee 271. The Edwards hall location is for the teams, limited to eight students, who are eligible for the prizes. Students who wish to take the test as individuals do so in the Chafee 271. The individual competitors may also qualify for the Scholarship Runoff Exam.

The Chemistry Department welcomes new and returning schools to participate in the contest. The next Rhode Island Chemistry Contest is tentatively scheduled for May 18, 2010. We hope to see you there.