Lab Camp

The International Chemistry Olympiad (IChO) is an annual competition for the world’s most talented chemistry students at the secondary school level. It is a prestigious global event that not only challenges students’ chemistry knowledge but also fosters international collaboration and a love for science. Each country around the world sends a team of four students. The IChO consists of two main parts: a five-hour laboratory practical exam and a five-hour written theoretical examination to test a student’s knowledge and skills in different aspects of chemistry, providing a comprehensive assessment of their abilities. The hands-on laboratory practical exam focuses on real-world problem-solving through lab experiments and it is an essential aspect of the competition. Excelling in the laboratory techniques will not only boost a student’s chances of earning an IChO gold medal but also equip them with essential skills they will use throughout their academic and professional careers in chemistry. Students from the United States, who often have strong theoretical preparation, usually cannot receive the same level of laboratory training compared to those from other countries.  To close the gap, Mr. Jianping Huang and Indiana Center for Biomedical Innovation (ICBI) collaborated to create a lab camp that is specifically tailored for U.S. students in preparation for the IChO.  

Mr. Jianping Huang is a retired medicinal chemist who dedicated 23 years of his career to Eli Lilly. With a deep passion for education, he full -time teaches, coaches and nurtures middle and high school students in chemistry after his retirement. He has become a well-known chemistry teacher nationally and internationally. Mr. Huang has sent 21 students to the IChO competitions, representing the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada, who won 13 gold medals, 7 silver medals and 1 bronze medal. Five students are from Indiana, bringing home 3 golds and 2 silvers! Influenced by Mr. Huang, many students have continued to pursue careers in chemistry and biosciences and carry forward his passion for chemistry and his dedication to excellence in Indiana and across the United States. Mr. Huang has been nominated by many students as “the one person who has been most influential in the development of my scientific career.”

The lab camp at ICBI will provide students with hands-on laboratory techniques training and mock exams to excel in the IChO’s practical exams and give them a competitive edge on the international stage. This initiative will not only help to improve U.S. students’ chemistry laboratory skills but also promote the chemistry education as a whole.