International Chemistry Quiz (ICQ)

2026 ICQ Asia Camp Introduction

 

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 80 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.

ICQ Asia Camp

Review Video

Information

Language:

English

Date:

July 7th -11th, 2026

Eligibility:

Awarded students in grade 6-9/year 7-10 in the 2025 ICQ

Location:

Shanghai, China

Academic module:

· International Chemical Exchange Experience
· Multiple Themes Chemistry Workshops
· Experimental observation and emonstration

Coaches

Dr. Andrew Eaton

Writer, reviewer, convenor, Director of the ICQ

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Dr. Andrew Eaton

Dr. Andrew Eaton

Writer, reviewer, convenor, Director of the ICQ

Until recently, Andrew taught Science and Chemistry as a secondary teacher, with over 25 years of experience, 16 years of those as a Head of Science. In 2001, he completed a PhD in Theoretical Chemistry. He has been involved with the International Chemistry Quiz (ICQ, formerly the Australian National Chemistry Quiz) for around 20 years as a writer, reviewer, convenor and, more recently, Director of the ICQ. Andrew has now changed spaces, to prepare the next generation of Science teachers, lecturing at the University of Sydney in Science Education.
Writer, reviewer, convenor, Director of the ICQ

Mr.Nathan Curnow

Chair of the Chemical Education Group for the Royal Australian Chemical Institute (RACI) Western Australian (WA) Branch

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Dr. Andrew Eaton

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

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Dr. Andrew Eaton

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.Sarah Chapman

Experienced Teacher of RACI, one of ten national STEM Ambassadors by Science and Technology Australia

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Dr. Andrew Eaton

Ms.Sarah Chapman

Experienced Teacher of RACI, one of ten national STEM Ambassadors by Science and Technology Australia

Ms.Sarah Chapman has twenty year’s experience as a secondary science educator and Science Head of Department.
In 2018, Sarah was selected as one of ten national STEM Ambassadors by Science and Technology Australia. Sarah was awarded the prestigious Prime Minister’s Secondary Science Teaching Prize for Excellence in Science Teaching in 2013. Sarah’s work has also been recognised with a prestigious Peter Doherty, Outstanding Teacher of Science Award in 2008 and an Australian Award for Teaching Excellence in 2009. She is regularly consulted by a range of institutions for the advice around vision and direction of STEM engagement and education.

Mr.Daniel Brummitt

Experienced Teacher of RACI

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Dr. Andrew Eaton

Mr.Daniel Brummitt

Experienced Teacher of RACI

Mr.Daniel Brummitt is currently teaching at Palmerston College experience in teaching ranges across all ages of secondary schooling from Year 7 through to 12. His areas of interest in chemistry include exploring industrial applications of chemistry, exploring the properties of materials, acid-base chemistry and organic chemistry. He also sits on the committee of the RACI NT Branch as secretary, as well as being the NT’s education divisional representative. Within these roles, He gets to take part in the organisation of events that help promote science in schools, support industry and create networking opportunities for professionals.

Schedule

Junior

July 7 July 8 July 9 July 10 July 11
Morning Opening Ceremony Physical and Chemical Changes Investigation, Reaction Ratios, Mixtures Exploring microscale titration Calorimetry (Analysis of energy in different food items) Closing Ceremony
Lab Safety & Establishing level of knowledge
Lunch
Afternoon Natural pH indicators Crystal Growing (Introduction, Growing Alum Crystals, Growing Copper Sulfate Crystals, Crystallisation from supersaturation) Microscale Competition Weird Chemistry, Basics of writing ICQ Questions, Students writing their own questions Leave

Senior

July 7 July 8 July 9 July 10 July 11
Morning Opening Ceremony Acidification of Ocean & Green Chemistry Basic Titration skills Exothermic/Endothermic Reactions Closing Ceremony
Lab Safety & Establishing level of knowledge
Lunch
Afternoon Visualising periodic trends in 3D activity First Nations Scientists- detoxifying food Titration Competition Equilibrium and Le Chatelier's Principle Leave

* Schedule may be changed according to the actual situation.

0
Join over 100,000 students from 21 countries and regions
1
Founded in 1982 by the Royal Australian Chemical Institute
4 Languages
Multilingual exam papers are suitable for students from different countries.
Eligibility
Open to students
from grades 7-12 / year 8-13
Six divisions
Six divisions can be selected for different students

ICQ Introduction

 

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.

Global Participation Distribution

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STUDENTS
0
COUNTRIES AND REGIONS
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SINCE

● GERMANY
● AUSTRIA
● KUWAIT
● UAE

● OMAN
● YEMEN
● INDIA
● SRI LANKA

● CHINA
● TAIWAN, CHINA
● THAILAND
● VIETNAM

● PHILIPPINES
● MALAYSIA
● BRUNEI
● INDONESIA

● PAPUA NEW
GUINEA
● AUSTRALIA

● SAMOA
● FIJI
● NEW ZEALAND

Rules and Awards

Date

6th August, 2026

Form

Online (Computer)

Format

30 multiple choice questions

Eligibility

Grade 7-12 /Year 8-13

Divisions
  • Junior Division 1: Grade 7 / Year 8
  • Junior Division 2: Grade 8 / Year 9
  • Intermediate 1:Grade 9 / Year 10
  • Intermediate 2: Grade 10 / Year 11
  • Senior: Grade 11 / Year 12
  • Final: Grade 12 / Year 13
Language

English & Filipino or Vietnamese or Korean
*The language of the exam will be based on the country of the participant's school.

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

Registration Details

Fee

Includes the exam administration, grading, past-papers, certificates

Deadline

2 weeks before the competition

How to Register?

Register at partner school

Recommendations

Recommended by Regional Coordinators and Chemistry Teachers

Recommended by Regional
Coordinators and Chemistry Teachers

Recommended by Participating Students in Previous Years