Successful Completion of ‘2025 Korean Chemistry Olympiad Winter School’

The ‘2025 Korean Chemistry Olympiad Winter School,’ hosted by the Department of Chemistry at UNIST, concluded successfully, fostering a new generation of talented young chemists.

About 52 first- and second-year high school students from across the country participated in the program, demonstrating exceptional enthusiasm and dedication to the study of chemistry. The winter school was a crucial step in selecting the Korean representative for the prestigious International Chemistry Olympiad (IChO).

The 2025 Winter School consisted of two stages, providing a comprehensive learning experience for the students. The first stage, held from Janurary 6 to 10, offered in-depth chemistry theory lectures for first-year high school students. The second stage, which took place from January 12 to 18, brought all participating students together on the UNIST campus for an immersive six-day program, featuring hands-on experiments and lectures in various fields, including physical chemistry, analytical chemistry, organic chemistry, and inorganic chemistry.

A notable highlight of the winter school was the rigorous evaluation process, which assessed students’ knowledge and skills through interim, final, and experimental evaluations. Outstanding sophomore students who excelled in these assessments were awarded the opportunity to represent Korea at the International Chemistry Olympiad.

The completion ceremony, held on January 18, was attended by distinguished guests, including President Phil Ho Lee of the Korean Chemical Society (KCS) and Chairman Hyeon Jeong of the Chemical Olympiad Committee, who offered words of encouragement and inspiration to the students.

“We hope that our students will continue to challenge themselves and explore new knowledge, building on the foundation they established during the winter school,” said Department Head Jaeheung Cho of the Department of Chemistry at UNIST, who also serves as the President of the 2025 Winter School. “Looking forward, we hope to cultivate a future generation of scientists who will harness the power of science to make a positive impact on society.”

The 2025 Korean Chemistry Olympiad Winter School was made possible through the generous support of the Korean Chemical Society (KCS), the Korea Foundation for Science and Creativity (KOSAC), and LG Chem Ltd. The UNIST faculty and the Korean Chemistry Olympiad Committee played a crucial role in designing and delivering a high-quality educational program, providing students with a unique opportunity to grow and develop their skills in a supportive and stimulating environment.