After launching successfully in 2025, the Tarragona Chemistry Mini Olympiad returned to ICIQ for its second edition on May 26th, 2026. Organized in collaboration with the Col·legi Oficial de Químics de Catalunya, this educational initiative is part of the Catalonia Mini Olympiad programme, which consists of four parallel competitions held across Catalonia in Lleida, Girona, Barcelona, and Tarragona.
Building on the success of its previous edition, this year’s event more than doubled the number of participants, bringing together over one hundred 3rd-year secondary school students from different high schools across the province of Tarragona. Throughout the day, students tested their knowledge in chemistry and scientific skills.
The event began with the students’ arrival at the ICIQ facilities, where they completed a test consisting of 20 multiple-choice questions covering different topics in chemistry, together with one open-ended question on the arrangement of the elements in the periodic table. Once the test had been completed, the committee graded the exams in real time while participants enjoyed a catered snack, fostering a relaxed and friendly atmosphere among the students.
After the tests had been fully marked, the awards ceremony took place. Every high school received a small detail for its participation and the three participants with the highest scores were recognized, and the winning schools were also awarded:
1st place: Leo Sànchez Fernàndez. Institut Tarragona.
2nd place: Camí Pozo Strens. Col·legi Cardenal Vidal i Barraquer, Cambrils
3rd place: Queralt Mascuñano Tusell. Ins Martí l’Humà, Montblanc.
The prizes consisted of three books for each winning school and the opportunity to visit ICIQ and take part in a more in-depth scientific workshop in the laboratory.
The Mini Olympiad aims to encourage scientific vocations among young people and bring them closer to the world of science in a dynamic and participatory way. Through the different challenges, students were able to test their knowledge, logical reasoning and problem-solving skills.
With this second edition, the Mini Olympiad is becoming a consolidated educational initiative within ICIQ’s outreach activities, strengthening the centre’s commitment to promoting young talent and inspiring future generations of scientists.
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