International Chemistry Quiz (ICQ)
2027 ICQ Asia Camp:July 5th - 9th, 2027, Shanghai· China (Estimated)
Founded in 1917, the RACI acts as the key body advocating the interests and activities of the chemical sciences with over 4000 members across Australia. The RACI plays a leading role in promoting the science, practice and positive impact of chemistry to the public, educational sector, and industry through creating educational initiatives. The International Chemistry Quiz (ICQ) is organized by the Royal Australian Chemical Institute. Since its inception in 1982, it has attracted over 100,000 students from 21 countries and regions annually, and translated into 7 languages. It provides a major focus on the relevance of chemistry, helping to develop the abilities in information extraction, observation, and problem-solving. ICQ has garnered widespread recognition from teachers and students worldwide.
The ICQ Asia Camp serves as an in-depth communication platform for outstanding young chemists worldwide to deepen their understanding of chemical research and foster skills such as observation, critical thinking, and operational skills nurturing next generation of chemists. The ICQ Asia Camp will fully consider the learning characteristics and cognitive levels of invited students, offering lectures, seminars, and experimental challenges that incorporate authentic inquiry-based teaching methods. Students will have the chance to participate in hands-on experimental training and problem-solving activities led by five experienced teachers selected by the RACI.
This camp provides an unparalleled opportunity for chemistry enthusiasts in grades 7–10/year 8-11 to access top-tier international chemistry education. It offers a platform for students to exchange ideas with peers, develop critical skills, and build a strong foundation for advanced studies in chemistry. These experiences will be invaluable for excelling in future academic pursuits and gaining admission to prestigious universities worldwide.
The 2026 ICQ Asia Camp is limited to 75 seats and is open to students in grades 7-10/ year 8-11 in 2026. Therefore, the camp will invite awarded students in grades 6-9 / years 7-10 from the 2025 International Chemistry Quiz. Registration will close once full.
Mr.Nathan Curnow
Chair of the Chemical Education Group for the Royal Australian Chemical Institute (RACI) Western Australian (WA) Branch
Mr.Nathan Curnow
Chair of the Chemical Education Group for the Royal Australian Chemical Institute (RACI) Western Australian (WA) Branch
Mr. Nathan Curnow is the Director - Science at John Curtin College of the Arts in Fremantle, Western Australia. He has been a teacher for nearly 20 years and is passionate about science education and helping students, especially gifted and high achieving students, engage with their passion in science, connect with scientists and build skills as creative science communicators who think critically and solve problems. Nathan has been President of the Australian Science Teachers Association (ASTA), was a finalist in the Western Australian Premiers Science Awards for 2024 and is Chair of the Chemical Education Group for the Royal Australian Chemical Institute (RACI) Western Australian (WA) Branch.
Ms.Olivia Belshaw
Experienced Teacher of RACI, Content writer and presenter for Edrolo Science courses
Ms.Olivia Belshaw
Experienced Teacher of RACI, Content writer and presenter for Edrolo Science courses
Ms.Olivia is an accomplished leader in science education with over 15 years of teaching experience and 9 years as a faculty head teacher. She plays a vital role in shaping science education as a content writer and presenter for Edrolo Science courses and creates senior science internal assessment tasks, including Chemistry and Biology, for a highly regarded and widely used educational organisation. Additionally, Olivia serves as a Year 11 and Year 12 Trial Examination writer for LAZSTA. Her achievements include being nominated for the Prime Minister’s Award for Science Teaching in 2019 and receiving the STANSW award for services to Chemistry Education in 2021.
Ms. Catriona Chaikin
Councillor with Science Teachers Association New South Wales (STANSW)
Ms. Catriona Chaikin
Councillor with Science Teachers Association New South Wales (STANSW)
Catriona Chaikin is a highly accomplished Chemistry teacher at selective Hornsby Girls High School in Sydney, NSW. She has more than 30 years of experience teaching secondary Chemistry across a wide range of school settings, including selective, private, public, and regional schools in both Australia and the UK. She has a particular interest in the application of mathematics to chemistry, the focus of her Master’s thesis, and is passionate about teaching gifted and talented students and encouraging girls to excel in this field.
Catriona is a councillor with Science Teachers Association New South Wales (STANSW), and a member of the New South Wales RACI Chemical Education group.
Ms.Claire Phillips
Experienced Teacher of RACI
Ms. Claire Phillips
Experienced Teacher of RACI
With over 20 years of experience in education following six years working in the chemical industry, Claire Phillips brings a rich blend of professional expertise and educational leadership to this International Chemistry Camp. Their background in industry provides a strong foundation in real-world chemistry, which continues to inform engaging, authentic learning experiences for students. Having taught in a wide range of school settings across New South Wales, Australia, as well as in England, Claire offers a global perspective on science education and a deep appreciation for diverse learning contexts.
Ms. Joanne Thompson
Experienced Teacher of RACI
Ms.Joanne Thompson
Experienced Teacher of RACI
Joanne Thompson is a passionate scientist and dedicated educator who brings over 20 years of experience as a working scientist to her role as a secondary science teacher. She is the current Treasurer of the Science Teachers’ Association of Western Australia and is a member of the WA School Curriculum and Standards Authority’s Earth and Environmental Science Curriculum Advisory Committee.
Founded in 1917. the the Royal Australian Chemical Institute (RACl )acts as the key body advocating the interests and activities of the chemical sciences with over 4000 members across Australia. RACl plays a leading role in promoting the science, practice and positive impact of chemistry to the public, educational sector, industry and government through creating educational initiatives.
The International Chemistry Quiz (ICQ) is organized by the RACI. Since its inception in 1982, it has become a global competition that attract over 100,000 students from 21 countries and regions annually. The ICQ is not a test of syllabus content. While some questions will rely on knowledge and understanding covered as part of studying the Australian Curriculum, RACI have endeavoured to make the quiz interesting and to promote chemistry and chemical thinking. Questions that go beyond what is covered in syllabus documents should be able to be answered by students applying their knowledge and understanding to stimulus material provided in the questions. Some questions that are designed to challenge more able students may be/will be included.
6 divisions suits for students in grades 7-12. The topics includes but is not limited to: the material’s structure, isotopes, half-lives and radiation, atomic model, periodic table,chemical bonding, reactants and products, chemical equations, etc.
Individual Awards
- Excellence：Perfect Score (Students who obtain a perfect score receive a medal)
- High Distinction: Top 10%
- Distinction: Top 30%
- Credit: Top 50%
* Certificates are awarded by comparing student results in the same grade. A student who has participated in the competition and received no higher award will receive a certificate of participation. Subject to the actual awards
School Awards
Schools with 30+ participants will be eligible for school awards.
- The top school in Asia per division
- The top 10 schools globally per division
* Based on the average score of the school's students
Schools that receive the "School Awards" will also receive:
- A Certificate of Recognition
- A Letter of Commendation from ICQ partner, the University of New South Wales
- A Social Media Announcement
- A Digital Badge for display on the school's website
Recommended by Regional Coordinators and Chemistry Teachers
Recommended by Regional
Coordinators and Chemistry Teachers
