SOLON For Stephen Tang, a junior at Solon High School, life is all about discovery.

I feel like we take a lot of things for granted, he said. Even plastic bags at the grocery store are a result of very complicated engineering and specialized processes.

In many ways, Tang sees the world as a big science experiment. Now he will have the opportunity to gather with some of the nations brightest students who share his interest in chemistry.

Tang earned the title of national chemistry champion and in doing so has qualified to compete for one of only four spots on the U.S. Chemistry Team. He originally competed against more than 12,000 high school students, taking a series of tests that led to the final 20 individuals.

Although he hopes to get a spot at the international competition, Tang said he has a bigger goal in mind of just having fun and meeting new people.

Im looking forward to meeting these other students who share my passion, he said. I just want to have fun and enjoy this opportunity.

The final four students will be selected as a result of their performance at a two-week intensive study camp at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado. Students will compete at the camp June 5-20.

Every morning well get up, have breakfast, have four hours of chemistry lectures, have lunch and then have four hours of lab work, Tang explained.

The group will have a short break in the evening, and then after dinner they will have a daily assessment.

The camp ends with a comprehensive assessment, and that determines who will make it through, Tang said.

Read more from the original source:
Solon teen tries out for international chemistry team