A team of Barrington High School students captured first place honors in the University of Rhode Island's 85th annual Chemistry Contest.

Approximately 300 students from nine high schools across the state competed. Barrington won the Division II competition, which is for students who have had more than one year of chemistry instruction or who have taken AP chemistry. The Barrington team finished ahead of second place Hendricken and third place Cranston West. 

In the individual competition, Barrington High School's Alexy Carolan won first place. She finished ahead of two students from Hendricken. 

Contestants had one hour to answer 45 chemistry questions, which were then graded and evaluated by URI graduate students in the chemistry program. 

After the exam period, students had the opportunity to tour the campus or watch a chemistry demonstration. Before the awards ceremony, students also heard a presentation from Chemistry Professor Jimmie Oxley, an internationally renowned expert on explosives and energetic materials.

In the Division I team competition, for students who have had no more than one year of chemistry that is not Advanced Placement, Hendricken won first place, North Smithfield was second, and Barrington High School was third.