Schools
Whiz Kid Steven Schmatz Striving For National Chemistry Olympiad
Steven Schmatz is proving to be one of the best young scientific minds in the region, state and nation.
Birmingham Patch regularly features students doing amazing things. This week's Whiz Kid is a scientist at heart who, despite his age, is already making strides toward a very promising career in chemistry and receiving national recognition for it.
Steven Schmatz
Age: 16
School: International Academy
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Hometown: Birmingham
Achievement: Schmatz recently qualified to test for the U.S. National Chemistry Olympiad (USNCO) from among approximately 10,000 students who tested for the local exam. Only the top 8 percent of students went on to be nominated to sit for the national level examination. In the metro Detroit section, 212 students tested at the local level, and he finished in the top 9 of student scores, which made him eligible to take the national-level exam this month.
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How did this opportunity come about?
The International Academy in Bloomfield Hills competes annually in the Chemistry Olympiad, where he took the preliminary test to qualify to compete at the local level. From there he moved up to the national level.
What makes him successful?
Schmatz said he enjoys learning as much as he can about science, and in particular, chemistry. During the last year, he volunteered at Oakland University's Chemistry Research Department and credits his success to everyone who helped give him his opportunities, such as his high school chemistry teachers and his research mentor. Schmatz is no stranger to science competitions. Last year, he won gold in pathophysiology at the Michigan Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) annual competition.
What are your plans for the future and how do you envision this experience helping you get there?
Schmatz said he wants to apply his knowledge of chemistry and pathophysiology from HOSA and Chemistry Olympiad to conduct medical research that will someday benefit others. The knowledge he gains from Chemistry Olympiad should prove invaluable for conducting his research at MIT this summer, where he will join the prestigious RSI program that is centered around biomedicine and biochemistry research.
Do you know our next Whiz Kid?
Birmingham Patch welcomes suggestions for students, youth groups and even sports teams who wow us with their accomplishments. We want to hear about amazing children and teens and select one each week as Whiz Kid. Submit your nomination in our comment box below or email the information to editor Art.Aisner@patch.com. Please include all these details:
- Nominator's name
- Whiz Kid's name and age
- Whiz Kid's school
- Whiz Kid's accomplishment
- What makes him or her successful
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