THE AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL CHEMISTRY QUIZ

Introduction
This Quiz Competition is conducted annually in July by the Royal Australian Chemical Institute, which is
the professional body for chemists in Australia founded in 1917. Over the years, the competition has been
conducted in a number of countries especially in the Asia-Pacific region. These countries include New
Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Philipines, Vietnam, Cambodia, Western Samoa, Israel, Malaysia,
Singapore, Thailand, Brunei, Switzerland, England, India and Sri Lanka.
The Competition is conducted at six levels corresponding to the Australian School Years of 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 &
12. Years 7 - 10 comprise the Junior Level while Years 11- 12 comprise the Senior Level Corresponding Sri
Lankan Grades are 8 - 13. Multiple Choice question papers comprising 30 questions are set for each level
for the one hour test that is conducted in a number of countries. Participating Certificates are given to every
participating student.
On account of the widely varying cultures and differences in course contents students are exposed to in the
various countries, there is no inter-country competition. Student performances, which are assessed on
optical mark readers in Australia, are compared within a given country and three types of certificates
(Higher Distinction, Distinction and Credit) are awarded to about 40% of the candidates appearing from
each country. Certificates of Excellence are awarded to those students answering correctly all the 30
questions. Plaques are also awarded by the Royal Australian Chemical Institute to the very good
performers. Questions set for the quiz competition are intended primarily as an educating tool. There is a
wealth of general as well as Chemistry based information in every question paper.
Extension of the Competition to Sri Lanka
Mr Charles Fogliani from the Charles Steurt-Mitchell University in Bathurst, NSW Australia has been the
Australian National Organiser of this competition for many years. He presented a paper on the competition
at the Sixth Asian Chemical Congress of the Federation of Asian Chemical Societies held at Manilla in the
Philipines in May 1995, at which I was present. He invited other countries to participate in this
competition thereby internationalising the contest as much as possible. I pursued the matter further with Mr
Fogliani, who made a special appeal to me and the Institute of Chemistry, Ceylon to conduct the
competition in Sri Lanka. Having received the approval of the Institute Council I had further discussions
with Mr. Fogliani when I attended the International Conference in Chemical Education in July 1996 at
Brisbane, Australia. We finalised the arrangements and mutually agreed to conduct the competition in Sri
Lanka for the first time in July 1997.
Since the Australian organisers provide the question papers, multiple choice answer sheets and other
necessary material, there are minimal problems if the competition is conducted in the English medium.
Unfortunately, Sri Lankan organizers have the additional problems of translating the question papers (to
Sinhala and Tamil) and printing the necessary number of question papers with the little resources available
within the Institute of Chemistry, Ceylon.
However thanks to the support extended by the Australian organisers, the Institute of Chemistry, Ceylon
took up the challenge and conducted the competition for the first time in Sri Lanka in July 1997. We started
on a modest scale and decided to restrict the competition initially to one level in about 20 schools. Since the
Institute has been conducting an All Island Chemistry Quiz Competition for GCE (Advanced Level)
students in Year 13 from 1986, it was therefore agreed to conduct the Australian Quiz Competition amongst
Year 11 (Junior Grade) students in the GCE (Ordinary Level) classes so as to widen the extent of student
participation in this competition which is intended to increase the interest of students in Chemistry and
provides useful chemical education to them.
THE 1997 COMPETITION
We invited the 23 schools who had entered the Quarter Finals stage of our own Sri Lankan Chemistry Quiz
during the years 1994-1996. 19 of these schools participated and 1277 students in Year 11 sat the
examination that was conducted at 11 centres throughout Sri Lanka under the supervision of Institute
members assisted by teachers from participating schools. These centres included Kandy, Kurunegala,
Batticaloa, Matara, Horana, Nugegoda, Mt. Lavinia, Bandarawela and Kegalle.
The very best performers answered correctly 24 out of the 30 questions set and received plaques sent from
Australia. These students as well as the second best and third best performers (who answered correctly 23
and 22 questions respectively) were also given prizes by the Institute of Chemistry, Ceylon.
4

YEAR 1998 COMPETITION

We decided to expand the competition and invited 44 schools who entered the quarter finals of the Sri
Lankan Chemistry Quiz from 1994 to 1997 to participate in 1998. 2252 students from 31 schools appeared
for the test which was conducted at 15 centres including Galle, Ratnapura, Trincomalee and Kalmunai.
The two very best performers had 27 answers correct while the eight second best performers had 26
answers correct. The 19 third best performers had 25 answers correct. All these 29 students from 11 schools
received plaques from the Australian organisers and prizes from the Institute of Chemistry, Ceylon.
The computerized statistical analysis of student performance no doubt serves as a useful source of
evaluation for school heads and teachers. A complimentary copy of the Australian Chemistry Resource
Book (containing useful articles and papers involving chemistry as well as further analysis of student
performance at the previous chemistry quiz) was sent to each participating school.
YEAR 1999 COMPETITION
1999 was declared as the International Year for the Celebration of Chemistry by the American Chemical
Society, which encouraged National Chemical Societies to do something extra for the purposes of
popularising chemistry and disseminating the fruits of activities involving the Chemical Sciences. The
Institute of Chemistry, Ceylon therefore decided to increase the number of students and the number of
schools who would participate in the quiz competition in 1999. It was agreed with that objective in view to
conduct the competition at two levels corresponding as in the past to Sri Lankan Year 11 and additionally
Sri Lankan Year 12; This meant that in 1999, students from the GCE (Ordinary Level) final year as well as
both years of the GCE (Advanced Level) classes were able to particpate in either the Australian or the Sri
Lankan Quiz Contests. This represented a considerable step forward in involving secondary school students
(in their last three years at school) in a very educative and informative chemistry based activity.
The participation statistics are summarised below:-

Number of Schools
Number of Student applicants
Number of Valid Scripts

SL Year 11(Junior)
Australian Year 10
44
4314
3430

SL Year 12 (Senior)
Australian Year 11
45
3811
2931

Total
47
8125
6361

The number of centres was increased to 29 covering 14 administrative Districts in all Provinces. Centres
included Matara, Batticaloa, Kurunegala, Kandy, Bandarawela, Kegalle, Horana, Galle, Narammala,
Ratnapura, Kalmunai, Trincomalee, Badulla, Anuradhapura, Gampaha, Hanwella and Vavuniya in addition
to Nugegoda, Mt. Lavinia, Moratuwa and Colombo.
Senior Grade Results (1999)
The results were most encouraging. For the first time since we conducted the competition, two students
from two schools in the Senior Grade qualified to obtain certificates of excellence for answering correctly
all the 30 questions set. This is by any standard a very creditable performance.
7 other students from 4 schools answered 29 questions correctly. These second best performers were also
entitled to receive Plaques from Australia in commemoration of their very good performance.
Junior Grade Results (1999)
Two students from two schools answered 29 out of 30 questions correctly. Considering the fact that these
students study Chemistry only as part of a single subject called Science, this too is an excellent
performance. Three students from three schools answered 28 questions correctly and become the second
best performers. All these five students from 4 schools were eligible for Plaques from Australia and Prizes
from the Institute of Chemistry, Ceylon.
The Institute of Chemistry, Ceylon also awarded prizes to five other third best performers (from 4 schools)
who answered 27 questions correctly.
The Award Ceremony was held on 9.11.99 with Mr Peter Rowe, High Commissioner for Australia in Sri
Lanka as Chief Guest.
5

YEAR 2000 COMPETITION

The Competition was once again conducted in 2000 for two age groups corresponding to Sri Lanka Year 11
& Year 12 like in 1999.
The participation statistics are summarised below:

Number of Schools
Number of Student applicants
Number of Valid Scripts

SL Year 11 (Junior)
Australian Year 10
70
6535
4257

SL Year 12 (Senior)
Australian Year 11
75
6409
4550

Total
75
12944
8807

The number of centres was increased to 35 covering 15 administrative districts in all Provinces in Sri
Lanka. New Centres in that year included Samanthurai, Panadura & Kiribathgoda.
Senior Grade Results (2000)
S.L. Yaddehige from D S Senanayake College in the Senior Grade qualified to obtain a certificate of
excellence for answering correctly all the 30 questions set. He was offered and accepted a Graduateship
Millennium Scholarship awarded by the Institute of Chemistry, Ceylon to follow our Graduateship
Course commencing 2002. He registered to follow this course with effect from March 2002. Two
students from two schools answered all but 2 questions and qualified for the secured best performers prizes.
11 students from 7 schools answered 27 out of 30 questions and qualified for the third best performers'
prizes. All these 14 students obtain RACI Plaques.
Junior Grade Results (2000)
Two students from two schools answered 29 out of 30 questions correctly and secured the best performers
prizes. Six students from 4 schools answered 28 out of 30 questions correctly and secured the second best
performer prizes. All eight of these students obtain RACI plaques. Nine students from 9 schools answered
27 questions correctly and obtained Institute of Chemistry Prizes although they did not qualify for RACI
plaques.
The Year 2000 Award Ceremony was held on 25.01.03 during the Diamond Jubilee Celebrations of the
Institute. Prof R P Gunawardane (Secretary/Higher Education and Information Technology Development
was Chief Guest while Prof P P G L Siriwardena was Guest of Honour.
YEAR 2001 COMPETITION
Participation statistics are summarized below:-

Number of Schools
Number of Applicants
Number of Valid Scripts

SL Year 11 (Junior)
Australian Year 10
98
8056
5729

SL Year 12 (Senior)
Australian Year 11
100
6902
4802

Total
103
14958
10531

The number of centres was increased to covering 24 Administrative districts in all Provinces. The number
of examination centres was 40.
Senior Grade Results (2001)
13 students from 7 schools got all but one (29 out of 30) question correct and qualified for the Best
Performer's Prizes at the Senior Level.
Junior Grade Results (2001)
The results clearly indicated that due to the absence of a subject called Chemistry at the GCE (O/Level),
student performance at the Junior Level was much poorer than the Senior Level. Only 1 Student got the
Best Performers Prize by answering 28 out of 30 questions correct. 6 students from 4 schools got the
second Best Performers Prizes by answering 27 out of 30 questions correct. All these seven students got
Plaques from the R A C I. The Institute of Chemistry was however pleased to recognize seven other
students from 4 schools who had got 26 out of 30 questions correct & therefore got third best performers
prizes from the Institute.
6

General Observation
The performance of outstation schools was not as good as in past years: of the 27 Prize Winners in 2001
there were 2 from Maliyadeva Boys College, Kurunegala, 1 from Trinity, Kandy, 1 from Richmond, Galle
and 1 from Bandarawela MMV. All the other 22 were from Colombo Schools. This was unusual. The
Award Ceremony was held on 1.3.02 with Mr B R L Fernando (Chairman/CIC Ltd.) as Chief Guest while
Prof P P G L Siriwardene was Guest of Honour.
YEAR 2002 COMPETITION
Participation statistics are summarised below and the number of examination centers were 35.

Number of Schools
Number of Applicants
Number of Valid Scripts

SL Year 11 (Junior)
Australian Year 10
90
5704
4514

SL Year 12 (Senior)
Australian Year 11
92
6101
4128

Total
94
11805
8642

Senior Grade Results (2002)

For the first time as many as 7 students from 4 schools (including three outstation schools) correctly
answered all 30 questions set and were awarded Plaques and High Excellence Certificates from the RACI
and Best Performers Prizes from the I. Chem. C.
Our Institute recognized this splendid achievement by encouraging each and every one of them to
become Graduate Chemists by the Year 2007. All of them were therefore offered full scholarships by
the College of Chemical Sciences to enable them to follow the Institutes Graduateship Courses and
sit the relevant examinations free of charge. Three of them enrolled for the courses which
commenced in September 2003. These students are K D Kahandugoda (Rahula College, Matara), S I
Dharmarathne (St. Aloysius College, Galle) and Ranjan Wijayarathne (Royal College). There were
also 22 second best performers from 11 schools who answered correctly all but one (29 out of 30). They
were awarded Higher Distinction Certificates by the RACI and I. Chem. C. Prizes
Junior Grade Results (2002)
Once again, the results clearly indicated that (due to the absence of a subject called Chemistry) results
cannot be as good as in the Senior Grade. Like in 2001, only one student gets the Best Performers Prize by
answering correctly 28 out of the 30 questions set. Seven students from 6 schools (including 3 outstation
schools) obtained second best Performers Prizes by answering correctly all but 4 (26 out of 30) questions
set. All these 8 students were awarded Plaques and High Distinction Certificates issued by the RACI and
Prizes by the I. Chem. C.
There are also 15 third best Performers (from 11 schools) who answered correctly all but 5 (25 out of 30)
questions set. They received High Distinction Certificates issued by the RACI and third best Performers
Prizes by the I. Chem. C.
Overall Comments & Observations (2002)
(1) All the Best Performer Prizes (both in the Senior Grade & Junior Grade) have been obtained
by male students.
(2) 30 of the 52 Best Performer Prizes in both Grades have been secured by students attending schools
outside Colombo. This compares very favourably with last year when only 6 of the 27 prizes were
secured by students attending schools outside Colombo.
(3) We noted with pleasure that 5 students who received awards in the Senior Grade received awards in
the Junior Grade in the Year 2000 Competition. These students were Kanchana Kahandugoda
(Rahula College, Matara), Dulip Piyaratne (Maliyadeva Boys College, Kurunegala), Indika
N Gunawardana (Royal College) Kasun Hetige (Royal College) and Charith I Nanayakkara
(Richmond College, Galle). We heartily commend their consistent good performance.
The Award Ceremony was held on 24-01-03 with Ms Kate Logan (Deputy High Commissioner for
Australia in Sri Lanka) as Chief Guest and Ms Y Mahesan (Chairman/Manthai Salt Ltd.), as Guest of
Honour).
7

YEAR 2003 COMPETITION

Participation statistics are summarized below.

Number of Schools
Number of Applicants
Number of Valid Scripts

SL Year 11 (Junior)
Australian Year 10
109
7539
5691

SL Year 12 (Senior)
Australian Year 11
111
7044
5127

Total
115
14583
10918

The examination was conducted on 26.07.03 at centers in the following towns:

Mt. Lavinia, Matara, Batticaloa, Colombo, Nugegoda, Kurunegala, Bandarawela, Kegalle, Rambukkana,
Kandy, Matale, Horana, Kalmunai, Trincomalee, Moratuwa, Anuradhapura, Seeduwa, Hanwella, Galle,
Vavuniya, Samanthurai, Panadura, Jaffna, Pannipitiya. The number of centers was 38.
This was the first time, thanks to the on-going peace process, that we were able to hold the competition in
the Jaffna peninsula.
Senior Grade Results (2003)
A record number of 29 students from 15 schools (including 15 students from 8 outstation schools)
answered all 30 questions correctly and have qualified for the award of Plaques and High Excellence
Certificates received from the RACI and the Best Performers Prizes from the I.Chem.C. It is interesting
to note that 22 of these 29 best performers are male students.
Once again, the College of Chemical Sciences of the Institute of Chemistry, Ceylon is giving special
recognition to this splendid achievement by encouraging each and everyone of them to become a Graduate
Chemist by the year 2008. We are therefore once again offering them full SILVER JUBILEE
GRADUATESHIP SCHOLARSHIPS to enable them to follow our Graduateship Courses and sit the
relevant examinations absolutely free of charge. They will be able to enroll for the next set of courses that
will commence in 2004.
Junior Grade Results (2003)
As in past years, only one student got the Best Performers Prize by answering correctly 28 out of the 30
questions set. Two students from two schools obtained the second best performers Prizes by answering
correctly 27 out of the 30 questions set. Two more students from two schools obtain the Third best
performer Prizes by answering correctly 26 out of the 30 questions set.
All the above mentioned 5 students will be awarded Plaques and High Distinction Certificates awarded by
the R A C I and Prizes offered by the Institute.
However the Institute of Chemistry, Ceylon has decided to recognize seven other fourth best performers
and fifth best performers who have answered correctly 25 and 24 questions respectively out of the 30
questions set.
Fourth Best Performers
Thus, seven students from 6 schools qualify for this I.Chem.C. prizes.
Fifth Best Performers
Thus, eleven students from 7 schools qualify for this I.Chem.C. prizes.
Year 2004 Competition
The Council has appointed Dr M D P de Costa as the Sri Lankan organizer with effect from this year.

Prof J N O Fernando
Overall Co-ordinator (1977 - 2003)
8

YEAR 2004 COMPETITION

Participation statistics are summarized below.
SL Year 11 (Junior)
Australian Year 10
Number of Schools
96
Number of Applicants
6888
Number of Valid Scripts
5282

SL Year 12 (Senior)
Australian Year 11
101
6539
4799

Total
104
13427
10081

The examination was conducted on 26.07.04 at centers in the following towns:

Mt. Lavinia, Matara, Batticaloa, Colombo, Nugegoda, Kurunegala, Bandarawela, Kegalle, Rambukkana,
Kandy, Matale, Horana, Kalmunai, Trincomalee, Moratuwa, Anuradhapura, Seeduwa, Hanwella, Galle,
Vavuniya, Samanthurai, Panadura, Jaffna, Pannipitiya. The number of centers was 37.
Senior Grade Results (2004)
The results of this year competition revel that 105 Year 12 Advanced level students from 39 schools
(including 27 outstation schools) have answered all 30 questions correctly compare to last year 29 students.
The students from the following schools have done this for the first time.
S. Thomas College (Mt. Lavinia), St. Annes College (Kurunegala), Sri Koneswara Hindu College
(Trincomalee), Ananda College (Colombo), Kegalu Vidyalaya (Kegalle), Mahinda College and Sangamitta
Girls College (Galle), Mahmud Ladies College (Kalmunai), Anula Vidyalaya (Nugegoda), St. Bridgets
Convent , Sirimavo Bandaranaike M Vidyalaya, Methodist College, Holy Family Convent, Visakha
Vidyalaya and Devi Balika Vidyalaya (Colombo), Girls High School, Mahamaya Girls College, St.
Sylvesters College, Trinity College and Dharmarajah Vidyalaya (Kandy), Sujatha Balika Vidyalaya
(Matara), Madya Maha Vidyalaya (Bandarawela), Dudley Senanayake Vidyalaya (Tholangamuwa), Govt.
Science College (Matale), Hindu College (Jaffna), Ferguson High School (Ratnapura), Tamil M M
Vidyalaya (Vavuniya), Central College (Anuradhapura)
As in the past all these students will be offered Graduateship Scholarships by the College of Chemical
Sciences to enable them to enroll in September 2005 for the four year Graduateship programme in
Chemistry conducted by the College without payment of any registration, tuition or examination fees. This
financial value of this unique offer is about Rs. 15 million.
Junior Grade Results (2004)
For the first time in this competition three students got the Best Performers Prize by answering correctly
29 (compare to 28 in previous years) out of the 30 questions set. Eight students from six schools obtained
the second best performers Prizes by answering correctly 28 out of the 30 questions set.
All the above mentioned 8 students will be awarded Plaques and High Distinction Certificates awarded by
the R A C I and Prizes offered by the Institute.
Year 2005 Competition
Applications have now been invited until 28.02.05 for the year 2005 Competition scheduled to be held on
Saturday 30th July 2005. We look forward to a large number of applicants from the Jaffna District now
that the area is free from strife for the third year running.

Dr. M.D.P. De Costa

Overall Co-ordinator (2004)

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Royal Australian Chemical Institute
- for all the assistance given
Prof. Charles Fogliani, RACI Quiz Organiser
- for very prompt and splendid Co-operation & assistance.
Prof. J. N. O Fernando
- for assistance in translation & moderation
Mrs. Y. Mahesan and Mr. S. Perasiriyan
for assistance in moderation & translation
Mr. N. I. N. S. Nadarasa
- for moderation and all the co-operation & assistance given in the administration &
conduct of the competition.
Mr. Ranasinghe Banda
co-operation & assistance given in the administration & conduct of the competition.
Dr. Anura Wickramasinghe and Prof. (Ms) Hema Pathirana
- co-operation & assistance given in the administration & conduct of the competition in
Kandy Kegalle, Kurunagala Galle and Matara. Districts
Ms. Chandranie de Silva, Ms. Anoma Wijesuriya, Ms. Binari Wijayaratna, Mr. Tharanga
Lakshantha Perera, Mr D I S H Jayasinghe Mr Bandula Wimalasena, Ms. Chammi Perera,
Mr Nishan Chandana, Mr Padmalal & all other
staff of the Institute.
- for all the ready assistance given.
All the Supervisors & Invigilators
- for all the assistance given in conducting the contest.
All Co-ordinating Teachers of Schools and Examination Centres
- for all the assistance given.
President & Council of the Institute
- for all the encouragement & support.

Thank You All Very Much