A Double Triumph!
DHSZ students have been celebrating their outstanding achievements in two highly respected competitions:
The UK Chemistry Olympiad and the Intermediate Maths Challenge of UKMT. These accomplishments demonstrate the dedication of our students and the outstanding teaching approaches at DHSZ.
UK Chemistry Olympiad
In the UK Chemistry Olympiad, DHSZ students demonstrated their mastery of chemistry, with two students achieving gold medals and two receiving silver medals. Additionally, three students were awarded bronze medals for their impressive performance in the competition. The competition tests students' knowledge in areas ranging from IGCSE to early university-level chemistry. DHSZ's teaching approach of putting students at the centre of their learning and creating a high-challenge, low-threat classroom environment has allowed for the development of critical thinking and application skills necessary to excel in such a prestigious event.
Our teachers at DHSZ understand the importance of structured practice, providing additional opportunities for students to deepen their understanding of the subject beyond the regular curriculum.
The chemistry society CCA offered a space for students to engage in enrichment activities such as oil extraction from algae, biodiesel production, perfume making, and bioplastics. Our department also plans to enter students into other contests in the future, including the Canadian Chemistry Contest and Avogadro Contest, as well as expand project work in the chemistry society CCA.
Student Voice
We also caught up with Tom C, the reigning gold medalist and Joe W, the previous silver medallist who won the gold medal this time to hear what they want to share with us.
Q: How has participating in the UK Chemistry Olympiad impacted your future academic and career aspirations?
A: When I was first preparing for the UKCHO, I was inspired by the competition about logicism in chemistry. I understand the importance of applying knowledge in an unfamiliar area involving analytical and critical thinking. It also inspires me in synthetical chemistry, which triggers my interest in using chemical expertise in my project of lipid extraction from algae. Overall, the UKCHO is an inspirative competition that develops my interest in the cutting-edge field of chemistry and the thinking skill for learning science subjects.
Q: What advice would you give to students who are interested in participating in the competition in the future?
A: Learning chemical thinking is essential if you wish to prepare for the UKCHO. You can use the physical chemistry aspect (about bonding and structure) to integrate the phenomenon you learn in chemistry. I recommend reading Chemical Structure and Reactivity to develop this skill. Also, discussing these thoughts using unfamiliar fields is helpful. You can join the Journal Reading CCA led by Joe W, where students share their understanding of various subjects. I also joined the CCA and benefited from discussing multiple topics with intelligent and inspirative students, especially Joe W. Please enjoy the competition experience and learn meaningful lessons.
Q: What did you do differently this year compared to last year to improve your performance?
A: I have concluded two factors that contributed to the gold medal I have received: one is adopting a more thorough approach to studying chemistry and the other one is running a CCA that enhanced my study skills. However, these competitions do not mean everything and their importance is often overestimated.
Compared to last year, I relearned Chemistry from the first unit and dived deeper into the subject matter by going beyond the standard curriculum. I sought out advanced textbooks and online resources to expand my understanding of complex topics in chemistry. Additionally, I dedicated more time to practising a wide range of problems and analyzing my mistakes to identify areas for improvement. This more focused and structured approach to studying chemistry allowed me to develop a stronger foundation in the subject.
To complement my individual study efforts, I initiated and ran a CCA to promote problem-solving skills among my peers. This activity brought together students with a shared passion for academics, allowing us to engage in collaborative problem-solving sessions. We discussed various topics ranging from economics to biology, sharing ideas on intriguing inquiries. By leading and participating in the CCA, I honed my ability to think critically, analyze problems from multiple perspectives, and develop efficient problem-solving techniques. This experience not only enriched my own understanding of chemistry but also fostered a supportive learning community where we could learn from one another.
Q: What advice would you give to students who are interested in participating in the competition in the future?
A: 1. Strengthen your foundation:
Ensure you have a solid understanding of the basic concepts. Go beyond the standard curriculum and delve deeper into the subject matter by reading advanced textbooks. Since a great proportion of UKCHO is based on organic chemistry, a thorough understanding of basic organic reactions is recommended.
Booklist:
- Chemical Principles -by Atkins, Jones, and Laverman
- Organic Chemistry -by Clayden, Greeves, Warren
- Organic Chemistry as a second language -by Klein
- Why Chemical Reaction happens -by Keeler and Wothers
2. Join study groups:
Find like-minded peers and form a study group, like a CCA. By collaborating and discussing problems with others, you can learn new problem-solving methods and techniques.
3. Seek mentorship:
Ask for guidance and support from experienced teachers or elder students. They are super kind and can provide valuable advice on how to improve your competition’s performance. For example, I have participated in the scholar program in which I discussed some Chemistry questions with Mr. Harrison.
4. Be persistent:
Participating in competitions requires time, effort, and patience. Do not get discouraged and maintain a positive attitude even when faced with difficulties. Believe in yourself and continue working hard, and you will achieve success in the competition.
UKMT
In the Intermediate Maths Challenge, we got 3 Participation and 1 Distinction from DHSZ. Michael X impressed us by earning a bronze medal and being placed in the top 100 in the world!
His natural inquisitiveness and love for mathematics coupled with mathematical resilience and tenacity allowed him to excel. Our teachers encourage a love for mathematics among all students by creating opportunities for them to apply their knowledge and communication skills in many ways. Maths trails that incorporate real-world examples, such as the HB world and Disney, provide students with the opportunity to experience maths in the world around them.
Student Voice
Q: How does it feel to be ranked among the top 100 mathematicians in the world in your age group?
A: I was happy when I found out the result because I hadn't prepared specifically for the competition, so to be honest, I wasn't expecting to get a high score.
Q: What inspired you to participate in the Maths Olympiad, and what motivated you to work hard and achieve such an impressive result?
A: I entered this competition because firstly, I am rather passionate about mathematics and wanted to take on some more difficult problems. Secondly, I wanted to compare myself with my peers from different countries and regions to see how good I am at maths. The main reason that motivated me to get such a result was my love for it. I enjoyed the process of thinking and logically connecting in solving the problems, and I usually borrowed some maths-related books from the library outside of class to find some interesting maths problems to do, which helped me improve my maths skills.
