Chemistry Club to start up again to study for ACS Chemistry Exams

According to club sponsor Virginia Kundrat, Chemistry Club meetings will stop for the time being. When the meetings start again, students will prepare for the American Chemical Society (ACS) chemistry exams which occur in March.

The ACS exam is an international competition that tests students on their knowledge of chemistry and physics. The members of the club who choose to take the test will compete in the regional test at Butler University. The students with the top scores there will earn scholarships and receive the Index of Chemistry and Physics. First place winners earn $1,000, second place $800 and third place $400. Those students also move on to take the national exam. The top 20 students in the national exam will then train to represent the U.S. in the international competition. As of now, no one from this school has made it to the national team.

“It’s definitely harder than a final exam in Chemistry,” Kundrat said.

The members of the club study questions for the exam during meetings and go over them, while completing labs and demonstrations as well. Some students also prepare for the test on Saturday mornings with a member from the international China team.

“Some like to try (the exam) and see how well they do. For others, it’s very important,” Kundrat said.

According to sophomore Alyssa Zhao, she is not focusing too much on the exam now, but she will next year.

“It’s not my top priority,” Zhao said.