Another Chemistry Olympic medalist in Sancti Spíritus

Nathan David Rivadeneira Martínez, an eleventh-grade student at the Eusebio Olivera Rodríguez Vocational Pre-University Institute of Exact Sciences (IPVCE) in Sancti Spíritus, speaks with satisfaction about his results at the recently concluded Central American and Caribbean Chemistry Olympiad—hosted by Panama—where the young student from Sancti Spíritus won his first silver medal.

“This is my second time participating in the Olympiads, and for me, it was a very special experience; I won my first medal after so much time. Beyond that, it was a moment of great learning—as is everything in life.”

What was the exam itself like?

Well, when the test began, I felt the nerves typical of such a moment, because we are talking about two tests: a practical exam and a theoretical one.

For the practical part, you have to prepare both physically and mentally to face the laboratory work and try to proceed logically—always thinking before acting. The theoretical part is even more nerve-wracking, as you have to memorize information and apply everything you’ve learned with great care: paying attention to units of measurement and every equation used, and ultimately determining the solutions to the problems at hand. All of that requires a great deal of concentration and patience.