What is the You Be The Chemist Challenge? 

The Challenge is a fun, free STEM-based competition for students in grades 5-8. Students participate in teams of 3-4. Learn more here.

Is there a fee? 

There is no fee to participate in the Challenge. It is a free competition. 

How do I sign-up? 

Registration will open on our website in early October for each Challenge cycle. 

What is the Challenge structure? 

  • Students in 5th-8th grade in teams of 3-4 students answer timed questions at a Regional Challenge.
  • Teams simultaneously create videos in which they address an innovative solution to a community-based challenge.
  • Regional Challenge and video scores are combined to determine State Winners.
  • Top 5 state winning teams advance to the National Challenge, present their innovative solution to an expert panel of judges, and compete for scholarships!

What happens if there is not a Regional Challenge available in my area? 

Students can participate in the Regional Challenge virtually. Further information regarding the virtual Regional Challenge will be provided to Team Coordinators, who do not have a Regional Challenge available in their area, closer to the virtual Regional Challenge dates. All virtual Regional Challenges occur in EST time zones. 

Please note: The National Challenge will take place in person in Houston, TX this June. 

Where can I find the rules? 

The rules can be found on our website here. 

Where can I find the study material?  

The study material can be found on our website here. The online interactive study material will be provided to Team Coordinators once they register. 

Do students have to participate through their school?  

While we encourage schools to participate, students do not need to participate through their school. Their parents/guardians/mentors can serve as the Team Coordinator and help students throughout the Challenge cycle. 

What is the role of a Team Coordinator? 

Schools or teams need a Team Coordinator to participate. Team Coordinators must be 18 years or older at the time of registration. The Team Coordinator serves as the point of contact and is responsible for: 

  • Providing school demographics upon registration
  • Creating student teams
  • Receiving information from CEF
  • Communicating with the Challenge Organizer and parents
  • Helping students prepare

Team Coordinators can guide students during the Video process, however students are to create, produce and submit their videos on their own. 

Do students need a teacher to help them participate? 

Students do not need a teacher to participate. The Team Coordinator may be a parent, teacher, tutor, mentor, etc. 

How do I form a team? 

We encourage students to form their own teams! This could include: 

  • Friends/peers
  • Classmates
  • Students from other grades (5th-8th grade)

Remember the The Challenge requires many different skill sets, so it is encouraged that teams are composed of a variety of individuals. If you need help grouping students into teams of 3-4, you can use an online random team generator such as this one. 

How much time will teams have to create videos? 

The video prompt and rubric will be released on October 1st. Video submissions are due March 21st. Teams can begin immediately working on their videos upon access to this year’s resources.

What happens if a team member drops out of the Challenge? 

If a member of a team is no longer able to participate, there are two options depending on when this occurs.

Before a Regional Challenge or Video Submission

  • Teams may update/change their roster before participating in a Regional Challenge and/or creating their video. This does not count as a substitution, it’s just an update.

Before the National Challenge

  • If changes in a team’s composition occurs after a Regional Challenge and after creating the video, the following team substitution rules apply:
    1. The new team member must adhere to the participation requirements.
    2. The new team member must have participated in the Regional Challenge or the video component.

Please note, substitutes may not participate if they do not meet the above requirements. Substitutes cannot attend the National Challenge if they did not participate in a Regional Challenge or the video component. Any changes to a team after the Team Composition form is submitted, must be communicated to challenge@chemed.org.

Does the Team Coordinator have to submit the Team’s video? 

No, one video submission per team can be completed by either the Team Coordinator or one of the team members. Videos should be saved in .mp4 – a universal video format that is viewable on all platforms. Resolution should be at least 640 x 480 pixels (HD is 1920 x 1080).