Analytical Chemistry Challenge for Secondary Students (2024/25)

Introduction

The Analytical Chemistry Challenge for Secondary Students (2024/25) is jointly organised by the Science Education Section, Education Bureau (EDB) and the Department of Chemistry, Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU). The Competition aims to promote students' engagement and interest in chemistry through practical work and problem-solving involving real-life applications. Participants will enhance their experimental skills, scientific inquiry, and appreciation for the role of analytical chemistry in daily life.

The Competition aims to:

enable students to demonstrate and improve their chemical knowledge, skills, and aptitude through practical analytical experiments;
strengthen students’ ability to safely handle materials and chemicals, design experimental procedures, manipulate apparatus, and make accurate observations;
develop students’ skills in scientific inquiry and data analysis;
facilitate students to appreciate the role and significance of analytical chemistry in solving real-world problems; and
support inquiry-based, hands-on learning of chemistry in schools.

Details

Phase 1: Preliminary Heat

Period:

Feb – Mar 2025

Eligible participants:

S4-6 students studying Chemistry

No. of participating students:

5 to 12 teams for each school
Each team consists of 2 to 3 students
Notes:

Schools may consider conducting internal shortlisting in advance if more than 36 students (i.e. 3 students x 12 teams) want to participate in the Preliminary Heat.
If schools have difficulty in fulfilling the above requirements on number of participating students but wish to join the Preliminary Heat, please discuss the arrangement separately with Science Education Section of EDB via email or phone call.

Venue:

Participating schools’ own science laboratories

Activity:

Students in teams of 2 or 3 will conduct an assigned experiment focused on analytical chemistry in daily life and complete a related worksheet.
The experiment may involve common techniques of analytical chemistry included in the Chemistry curriculum, such as volumetric and qualitative analyses, thin layer chromatography and colorimetry.
The duration of the practical session for the Preliminary Heat is about 2 hours.

Outcome:

Responsible teacher needs to select a best-performing team from their school with reference to the marking scheme of the corresponding experiment.
The best-performing team will

receive an award certificate
become eligible for the shortlisting assessment

Other teams will receive a participation certificate.

Regulations:

Experiment

Three different experimental manuals will be provided to teachers for selection. Teachers can choose one experiment based on students' abilities, availability of instrumentations, apparatus, and chemicals.
Only one experiment shall be chosen for the Preliminary Heat. Schools shall NOT adapt the experimental manuals provided.
Before carrying out the Preliminary Heat, teachers can share the gist of the selected experiment, which will be provided by the organisers, to their students for preparation. But the experimental procedures of the selected experiment shall not be disclosed to students. Meanwhile, teachers may provide supports, such as practice questions, tutorial session(s), and/or practical session(s), to familiarise students with the knowledge and skills required for conducting the experiment of the Preliminary Heat. Teachers shall ensure that all participating students receive the same supports.
All teams from the same schools must conduct the same experiment within the same time slot to ensure fairness.

Chemicals and Apparatus

Participating schools are responsible for providing all necessary chemicals and apparatus required for the Preliminary Heat.
Schools should ensure that the supplied chemicals and apparatus meet safety standards and are suitable for the designated experiment.

Laboratory Safety

Teachers should brief students about necessary safety precautions before the start of the experiment.
Participating schools must observe safety protocols in the laboratory to ensure a safe environment for all participants.

After the Preliminary Heat

Teachers should select the best-performing team of the school based on the marking schemes provided and other additional criteria, if deemed necessary.
Teachers should keep all the students' work and submit them, together with the marking sheet, to the organisers after the competition.

Expenses

Participating schools shall be responsible for acquiring all the chemicals and materials required and all the expenses for organising and conducting the Preliminary Heat in their schools.

Shortlisting Assessment

Period:

Mar – May 2025

Format:

A 1-hour written test covering:

Analytical chemistry knowledge
Multiple-choice questions, structured questions and/or open-ended questions

Outcome:

The top 15 teams will advance to Phase 2

Phase 2: Training Session

Period:

Jun 2025

Format:

Face-to-face / Online

Purpose:

To prepare students for the more advanced experimental techniques and problem-solving tasks they will encounter in the Final Competition

Focus:

To enhance the students’ understanding of

advanced analytical techniques in chemistry;
data processing and interpretation; and
laboratory safety and risk assessment

Phase 2: Final Competition

Period:

Jun – July 2025

Duration:

3 – 3.5 hours

Location:

Laboratory at HKBU

Activity:

Student teams will:

design and conduct experiments to solve a problem on analytical chemistry
analyse data using scientific principles and critical thinking

Online Resource Materials for Teachers and Students

Each participating school will receive various resource materials developed by the chemistry experts from HKBU, such as guidelines and tips for schools to prepare their students for the competition, sample experimental tasks, study notes and examples on the mathematical concepts of data processing in analytical chemistry and sample assessment items for shortlisting.

Eligibility for Participation

All secondary schools (government, aided, and DSS) are invited to participate. The competition is open to students in S4-S6 who are currently studying Chemistry as an elective subject under the local school curriculum framework. Each school should nominate a minimum of 5 to a maximum of 12 teams consisting of 2 to 3 students each.

Application Method

Application form
Interested schools should complete the application form and return it to the Science Education Section, EDB by email (cpsc@edb.gov.hk) on or before 12 February 2025 (Wednesday).

Briefing Session (Course ID: CSD020240755)

Notes

Participating schools will be responsible for the cost incurred from joining the Phases 1 and 2 of the Competition (e.g. costs of the chemicals and materials required for the Preliminary Heat, all the expenses for organising and conducting the Preliminary Heat in their schools and transportation costs for students to join Phase 2 of the Competition).
Participating schools will be responsible for selecting the best-performing team in the Preliminary Heat with justifications (i.e. assessment records using marking sheets and/or rubrics). Meanwhile, the organisers have complete discretion regarding all matters concerning the results of the Shortlisting Assessment and Final Competition of the competition.

Enquiries

For enquiries, please contact Science Education Section, Curriculum Support Division, EDB on 3698 3440.