The You Be the Chemist Regional Challenge, a Quiz Bowl style event developed by the Chemical Education Foundation, a national organization devoted to the education of chemistry, was held on March 8th in the Performing Arts Center of Adrian High School. This event, the culmination of hard work and study for many 5th-8th graders across Lenawee County, consisted of 4-rounds with 10 questions each that tested these individuals’ knowledge of chemistry concepts through multiple choice and short answer questions.
To participate. students had to assemble a team, take the qualifier exam, and brush up on their chemistry knowledge using the study materials provided by the Chemical Education Foundation, prior to competing in the Regional Challenge event. In addition, the middle schoolers must work on and submit a video, based on a topic selected by the Chemical Education Foundation, demonstrating the real-world application of the principles of chemistry.
After collaborating to answer many challenging questions on a variety of chemistry topics, the judges tallied up the winners. Third place was a team from Onsted Middle School, the second-place team came from Springbrook Middle School, and the winner of the first annual Lenawee County You Be The Chemist Regional Challenge was also from Springbrook Middle School.
Winners of the quiz bowl portion of the challenge increased their likelihood of being eligible for the You Be the Chemist National Championship in Houston, Texas, hosted by the Chemical Education Foundation. The top five teams from across the country will be able to compete at the national level. Eligibility is determined by the combined scores of the Regional Challenge and the video score as judged by professionals from the Chemical Education Foundation. Therefore, even students who didn’t win the quiz bowl portion of the challenge could possibly be eligible to compete in nationals.
We wish all of the contenders the best of luck going forward.
Thanks to our sponsors, Anderson Development Company, Wacker Chemical Corporation, W2Fuel, and Evonik, who provided planning, support, and volunteers for the event.