Here’s a look back at some of my favorite moments from the 2013 ACS spring national meeting in New Orleans, and be sure to check out the meeting photospread in this week’s issue of C&EN: http://cenm.ag/pics.

And on a related note, if you think reading the digits in pi will take forever, check out this video of a man pronouncing the longest word in the world, which happens to be the chemical name of titin, the largest known protein. (Warning: you’ll need three and a half hours to get through this video, but as a reward, you get to watch this man’s beard grow.)

Check out “Molecules Gone Wild (Bio Style),” chemistry teacher Mr. Hsu’s version of Korean pop sensation PSY’s viral hit. The link was sent to us by Alex Madonik of the American Chemical Society’s California Section, who is an alumni of Shaker Heights.

Happy Friday!

And as we say goodbye to Philly, we look toward next spring’s gathering in New Orleans. The beleaguered region and its residents once again have a cleanup ahead of them, after facing Hurricane Isaac. Our hearts go out to everyone there who is dealing with the consequences of this natural disaster–it reminds us just how fragile life can be.

The team from South Korea won four golds, the most of any country during this year’s competition. The U.S. team earned a gold and three silver medals. For more highlights, see C&EN’s news article in this week’s issue.

Congratulations to everyone who earned medals, but like ACS president-elect Marinda Li Wu said to the students during the closing ceremony: “No matter whether you bring home a medal or not, you will all carry back some precious memories that should last a lifetime. Furthermore, you made some personal connections and bonds this week that will become part of your own valuable network. Maintaining and continuing to build that network can help you succeed no matter what your ultimate career and profession.”

With that said, let’s take a look back and see how much fun the students had during their stay in the nation’s capital:

It seems like just yesterday that the students were meeting each other for the first time and checking into their dorm rooms at the University of Maryland. Last night, after completing a five-hour theoretical exam, the students reunited with their mentors (who have been hard at work grading the lab practical exams) during a reunion party at the French Embassy. Today the students are spending the day in Baltimore, visiting the Baltimore Aquarium and the Maryland Science Center and attending a Baltimore Orioles vs. Oakland Athletics baseball game.

It’s been an exciting couple of days, filled with both competition and camaraderie. To get a feel for what the IChO experience has been like, the ACS Office of Public Affairs has put together a video capturing reactions from some of the students:

While the students are hard at work, let’s take a look at some of the camaraderie they’ve enjoyed over the past few days:

Students held up their country flags at the Opening Ceremony on Sunday.
Credit: Peter Cutts Photography

Even a bus ride can be entertaining!
Credit: Peter Cutts Photography

A group of students pose in front of an exhibit at the Air & Space Museum in Washington, D.C., on Sunday.
Credit: Peter Cutts Photography

During a trip to Annapolis, Md., on Monday, a guide tells students about Maryland’s blue crabs.
Credit: Peter Cutts Photography

After touring NASA’s Space Flight Center, students were treated to a boat cruise in Annapolis.
Credit: Peter Cutts Photography

Slovenian students express their joy after completing the five-hour lab practical on Tuesday.
Credit: Linda Wang/C&EN

ACS President Bassam Z. Shakhashiri demonstrates the properties of moving air to students during a presentation on Tuesday evening.
Credit: Linda Wang/C&EN

U.S. participant Jason Ge and his teammates react to one of Shakhashiri’s demonstrations.
Credit: Linda Wang/C&EN

On Wednesday, after touring the monuments around Washington, D.C., students gathered in front of the Capitol Building for a group photo.
Credit: Peter Cutts Photography

Check out the Catalyzer, the daily newsletter of the International Chemistry Olympiad, for more photos and interesting tidbits from the competition.

This past Saturday, nearly 300 students arrived at the University of Maryland, College Park, where they are staying this week, and C&EN was there to greet them and find out why they love chemistry:

We also put together a short video to share the excitement of the first day, when students met each other for the first time, united with their local guides, and checked into their dorm rooms:

The students have a challenging and exciting week ahead. Today, they’re taking a five-hour lab practical exam, and on Thursday they’ll be taking a five-hour theoretical exam. They’ll also attend a Baltimore Orioles vs. Oakland Athletics baseball game, tour the National Aeronautics & Space Administration’s Goddard Space Flight Center, and take a boat cruise in Annapolis, Md., just to name a few of the activities in store.

We’ll be checking in on the students from time to time this week. And we’ll be cheering them on during the closing ceremony on Sunday, when the medals are awarded.

Good luck to everyone!

Beaker looks a little scared. Credit: Lauren Wolf/C&EN

If you think C&EN’s Beaker is quite the globe trotter, check out this awesome video of Milli Mole’s jaunts around the world, courtesy of the chemistry faculty at the University of Central Oklahoma. To see the video, scroll down to the middle of the page and click the play arrow.

Where will this dynamic duo show up next?

Hat tip to Bill Suits. Thanks, Bill!