The RACI School Competitions are educational initiatives organised by the Royal Australian Chemical Institute (RACI) aimed at fostering interest and excellence in chemistry among school students.

The competitions are open to school students across Australia, spanning various age groups and academic levels. Our International Chemistry Quiz (ICQ) is open to students across the globe. More information on ICQ can be found here.

RACI offers a range of competitions tailored to different age groups and interests, including the Titration Competition, Chemistry & Art Competition, Crystal Growing Competition, and the International Chemistry Quiz (ICQ).

Schools can typically register for RACI competitions through the official RACI website or by contacting the RACI Education and Outreach team for more information.

Entry fees may vary depending on the competition. Some competitions may have a registration fee, while others may be free to enter.

Participating in RACI competitions provides students with opportunities to develop their knowledge and skills in chemistry, engage in friendly competition with peers, and potentially gain recognition for their achievements.

The structure of each competition may vary, but typically, participants compete individually or as part of a school team. Competitions may involve written exams, practical tasks, or online quizzes.

RACI may provide study materials, practice exams, and guidelines for participating schools to help students prepare effectively for the competitions. These can be found on the individual competition pages, or on our resources page.

Depending on the competition, winners may receive certificates, trophies, or other awards to recognize their achievements. Some competitions may also offer prizes such as scholarships or educational resources.

Schools can support student participation by promoting awareness of the competitions, providing access to relevant resources and materials, and encouraging students to showcase their interest and talent in chemistry.

The RACI Titration Competition is open to high school students in Australia. Typically, students in their final years of secondary education are eligible to participate.

Schools can nominate teams of students to represent them in the competition. The selection process may vary depending on the region and organizing committee.

The competition usually consists of multiple rounds, including preliminary heats and finals. Teams compete against each other to accurately determine the concentration of a given solution using titration techniques.

Organisers typically supply participating teams with laboratory equipment, reagents, and materials necessary to perform the titration experiments. However, students may need to bring personal items such as safety goggles or lab coats.

RACI may provide study guides, practice experiments, and safety guidelines to assist participating teams in preparing for the Titration Competition. These resources cover topics such as titration theory, laboratory techniques, and safety procedures.

The RACI Crystal Growing Competition is open to school students across Australia. Students from various age groups and academic levels are encouraged to participate.

In the Crystal Growing Competition, participating students are provided with kits containing materials to grow crystals. They follow instructions to grow crystals and submit their creations for evaluation.

Crystals are judged based on factors such as size, shape, clarity, and colour. Judges also assess the students' understanding of crystal growth concepts and their ability to follow instructions.

While the competition may specify certain types of crystals or materials provided in the kits, participants are often encouraged to explore creativity and experiment with different crystal growth techniques.

The ICQ aims to foster an understanding of chemistry's essence and significance among high school students, nurturing an interest in further exploration of the subject and highlighting its pivotal societal role. Moreover, the questions are tiered in difficulty, ensuring accessibility for a wide range of students.

ICQ is not your typical syllabus test. While some questions align with the Australian Curriculum, the quiz isn't handcuffed to it. The aim? To keep things interesting and promote chemical thinking. We want students to apply their knowledge beyond what's covered in syllabus documents.

Questions are prepared by a group of qualified and experienced writers in Australia. Writers come from academia and school science education. 

Once questions are prepared they are reviewed separately to ensure accuracy and suitability. 

Achievement levels are determined by comparing student performances across participating countries within the same grade. Depending on their results, students may receive certificates ranging from Excellence to Participation, with those achieving a perfect score earning an ICQ Lapel Pin.

In addition to certificates corresponding to their achievement level, students who excel, including those with perfect scores, are rewarded with a gleaming ICQ Lapel Pin.

The Online Quiz is a timed event, completed within a span of 60 minutes. However, students should await their teacher's approval before diving in. The questions mirror those in the hard copy paper, with calculators permitted but mobile phones and internet-connected devices strictly prohibited.

Our Quiz extends over a 3-day period, affording flexibility for students to participate at their convenience. This setup enables students across various year levels to undertake the quiz simultaneously, simplifying supervision for teachers.

Once the results are available, detailed instructions will be provided via email on how to access the results. Teachers can then log in to the ICQ Admin Portal to download school reports and student results. 

If your child is eager to partake but the school isn't onboard, approach their teacher. It's plausible to arrange for a small group to undertake the online quiz during lunch breaks or after school hours.

Join our Mailing List to receive comprehensive guidance and step-by-step booklets, facilitating seamless participation in the ICQ.