The South Tower at Técnico – Alameda campus was buzzing with activity on a Saturday morning. Slightly nervous, groups of students from the 3rd cycle engaged in last-minute revision while waiting for the call to begin the theoretical test of the national final of the Junior Chemistry Olympiad, hosted by Técnico on 17 May.
Maria Inês, a 9th-grade student from Leiria, expressed that she was “happy and a little nervous” as she anticipated this final stage of the Olympiad. Along with her teammates Kevin and Ana Leonor, she reviewed the material after the semi-finals, focusing on the questions they had struggled with the most. Although all three were familiar with Técnico, this was their first time at the campus.
It would also be their first time using the school’s laboratories, as the final of the competition included a practical component. After the competition, Carolina, a 3rd cycle student from Fundão, described an exercise where students analysed the density of different substances and another that challenged them to create precipitates from substances like lead and iodine. This was done at various stations set up around the laboratory benches in the South Tower, under the supervision of Técnico students who acted as monitors for the test.
Fátima Amaral, a teacher from Fundão, noted that this visit to Técnico was particularly special for her, as she is an alumna of the Undergraduate Programme in Chemical Engineering. Returning to the “good school” where she graduated more than 30 years ago was an emotional experience for her. “It’s wonderful to come back and see how Técnico has evolved”, she said, recalling that during her time as a student, the two towers at the Alameda campus hadn’t yet been built.
Once all the tests and assessments were completed, the students gathered in a room to wait for the results, which would be announced by the head of the Department of Chemical Engineering, Henrique Matos. Within minutes, the “Ornitorrincos da Química” stood up, victorious, ready to showcase their gold medals. “I’m still ecstatic”, exclaimed Anton, who had traveled from Aveiro to participate in the competition. His colleague André said he “didn’t expect it at all”, while Luís expressed that he was “very happy” with the result.
The three colleagues aim to pursue science and technology in secondary school. Who knows, one day these and other students who participated in these Olympiad may return to these laboratories, this time as future chemical engineers.
