LAHS sophomore David Gao, center, and senior Nicholas Koskelo with their teacher and coach Kathy Boerigter. Courtesy photo

LAHS News:

The Central New Mexico local section of the American Chemical Society (ACS) has announced the names of two outstanding chemistry students from Los Alamos High School. The students are sophomore David Gao and senior Nicholas Koskelo.

Last week they took a national exam that may qualify them to become members of the U.S. National Chemistry Olympiad team that will compete in the 48th International Chemistry Olympiad (IChO), July 23-Aug. 1 in Tbilisi, Georgia.

The IChO involves a series of exams, laboratory exercises, and other activities aimed at identifying the best chemistry students from participating nations from around the world. The U.S. has participated in this event since 1984. In 2015, the U.S. team won one gold and three silver medals. A total of 290 students represented 75 countries at the 47th IChO, in Baku, Azerbaijan. The two Los Alamos High School nominees are among more than 1,200 nationwide that took a national qualifying exam to select finalists.

Twenty students will be identified and will undergo intensive training May 31-June 15, 2016 at the University of Mary Washington, VA. The top four will be chosen to represent the U.S. in the 48th IChO competition.

More information about the Chemistry Olympiad can be obtained online (https:////www.acs.org/content/acs/en/education/students/highschool/olympiad.html). Founded in 1876 and chartered by Congress, the American Chemical Society is a nonprofit scientific and educational organization dedicated to the advancement of chemistry in the public interest. The Central New Mexico local section is one of 185 across the nation serving about 160,000 members.