2011 New Jersey Chemistry Olympics

I can not remember the exact year that I started the information search for the New Jersey Chemistry Olympics, but it was likely in the late 1990s.  At that point in time the information search was an event devoted to finding chemical information on the internet.  I remember working with Professor Fadi Deek as a judge in the GITC Building.  At the end of today's even I spoke with Fadi who is now the Dean of the  College of Science and Liberal Arts.  Since that time this event was combined with the molecular modelling event.

The students bring in a modle of a top selling pharmaceutical which is evaluated for the:

• Complexity of the model
• Accuracy of the bond angles
• Accuracy of bond lengths
• Accuracy of the size of the atoms
• Aesthetics of the model

The second part entails searching the internet to answer questions about Lipitor which is the top selling drug.  the scores are added up,   This year Riverdell High School won the event.  I congratulate Carrie Jacobus and her students.  I also thank the following who assisted in the event:

• Professor Kathleen Gilbert
• Frank Houlihan
• Megha Thakkar
• Madhuleena Bhadra

There is a total of 10 events which are described at http://sites.google.com/site/njchemistryolympics/home

Each team picks up points for their placement in each event.  Riverdell High School also won the prize for the entire event.  There are really no losers here.  Each student learns by participating and collaborating with their fellow students.  It is certainly nice to win an event, but the experience is quite valuable.

All the students, advisors and sponsors should be commended.  Special recognition should be give to Borislaw Bilash who is stepping down after 14 years as Director of the Olympics.  It certainly has been a pleasure to work with him all these years.  Natalie Macke of Pascack Hills High School will succeed him.

I am already looking forward to next year.