New Perspectives in Science Education

AVOQUIM, The Venezuelan Association of Chemistry Olympiads (Asociación Venezolana de Olimpiadas de Química), was created in 2006 as a civil association whose mission is to detect and support talented young students and to improve the chemistry education in Venezuela. One of its main annual activities is to give continuity to the Venezuelan Chemistry Olympiad (Olimpíada Venezolana de Química – OVQ) which begun in 1981. In the last 10 years AVOQUIM has also been dedicated to support the national educational needs. To accomplish this goals, AVOQUIM develops other activities such as workshops, competitions and didactic resources for students and teachers of basic education. The top students from the OVQ are invited to participate in the selection process to become a member of the national team. The Venezuelan team participates annually in the  International Chemistry Olympiad (IChO) and the Ibero-American Chemistry Olympiad (OIAQ). Venezuela has accumulated 3 golds medals, 20 silver medals, 39 bronze medals, 13 honorary mentions, and three awards for the top performance in the experimental exam. The AVOQUIM team in charge of the international events has prepared study materials, videos, and a bank of problems from previous years. From the beginning of the OVQ, a follow-up plan was carried out for keeping a record of the winners and following their university and professional path. It was found that 89% of them graduated as chemical and petroleum engineers, while 8% were pursuing a degree in chemistry, and 3% in related careers such as medicine, pharmacy or other engineering. Between 1996 and 2002, the percentage of those who studied a Bachelor's Degree in Chemistry increased to 16%. As of 2003, the percentage of winners graduated in other careers increased to 21%, and in a greater proportion in medicine. Other result provided by the follow-up plan is that 92% of the postgraduate studies are carried abroad, and the highest proportion in the US, in universities that occupy the top 10 in the world rankings. 67% of the “Olympians” support the activities of AVOQUIM. Since 2003, the OVQ receives support from the "Olympians" from Venezuela and abroad. When facing the lack of institutional backup, their academic and emotional support was decisive to continue with the program. They promoted the creation of AVOQUIM and are the backbone of its activities: 80% of the OVQ Test Committee is made up of "Olympians" and they are in charge of elaborating, validating and correcting the competition tests. As for the IChO, 85% of the training and selection team is comprised of "Olympians" who are responsible for consultations, evaluations and review of the preparatory problems. Also, since 2009, the "Olympians" serve as mentors in the international events.

Keywords: Chemistry Olympiad, peer leaders, talent, awareness of diversity.

References:
[1] Fungm F., Chang I. (comp.) (2019). 10 things you must know about International Chemistry Olympiad. Chang Xin Cultural and Creative Marketing: Taiwan
[2] Berrío, C.; Camacho J.; González, M.; Hernández, D.; Modestino, M.; López, C.; Sanoja, G.; Silva, E.; Torrealba, A.; Trigilio, A.; Vargas, J.; Urbina, C.; Zapata, E. Asociación Venezolana de Olimpiadas de Química, AVOQUIM. Participar es Aprender. Acta Científica Venezolana. 2014. 65,44-47
[3] Torrealba, A., & Urbina Blanco, C. A. (2018). Experimental-ludic contest: Know the Periodic Table, a Venezuelan experience. Abstract of paper, 256th National Meeting and Exposition of the American Chemical Society, Boston, MA, Aug 19-23, 2018;  American Chemical Society: Washington, DC, 2018