You can read about our previous National Challenge competitions below. Contact CEF to find out how YOU can be a part of this exhilarating science competition!
National Challenge History
2017 National You Be The Chemist Challenge®
The 2017 National Challenge – Chemistry Connects us to our Nation’s Capital. This year 42 participants came to the Nation’s Capital for the exciting competition! Ananthan Sadagopan, a 13-year-old 8th-grader from Westborough, Massachusetts, won the title of National You Be The Chemist Challenge® Champion by correctly answering science and chemistry-related questions throughout a grueling day-long 11 rounds of […]
2016 National You Be The Chemist Challenge®
The 2016 National Challenge Celebrated “Around the World of Chemistry!” At the 2016 National Challenge we explored the ways that chemistry is helping us solve global challenges and how chemistry binds us together as global citizens. We highlighted chemists and companies worldwide who are using chemistry in unique ways to advance human potential. We also celebrated the outstanding achievements […]
2015 National You Be The Chemist Challenge®
2015 was our largest National Challenge yet with 36 participants competing on the stage of The Kimmel Center for Performing Arts in Philadelphia. In the end, Daniel Liu emerged as National Challenge Champion–our youngest ever! Take a look at the digital flipbook below for more highlights from the 2015 National Challenge. Click here to view […]
2014 National You Be The Chemist Challenge®
Over 300 excited family members, educators, and chemical industry representatives – our largest audience ever! – gathered at The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts in Philadelphia to cheer on 30 National Challenge participants! These bright students battled through ten thrilling rounds of competition before Audrey Gallier, the second youngest student in the entire competition, […]
2013 National You Be The Chemist Challenge®
Twenty seven participants flew to Philadelphia for the opportunity to compete for the title of National Challenge Champion under the bright lights of The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts! Although Washington state was participating for the very first time, their State Champion, Eshan Kemp, answered dozens of questions correctly to win the entire competition […]
2012 National You Be The Chemist Challenge®
Held for the first time on stage at The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts in Philadelphia, the competition at the 2012 National Challenge was fiercer than ever. “I am continually impressed by the bright young minds that participate in this program. Watching the participants become excited as they connect the chemistry concepts to their […]
2011 National You Be The Chemist Challenge®
At the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia , 20 students competed for the title of National Challenge Champion! CEF’s Executive Director, John Rice, noted that: “This has been the most successful Challenge year yet, with more companies than ever before partnering with the educators and schools in their community – leading to a greater number […]
2010 National You Be The Chemist Challenge®
More than 100 industry members, educators, family and friends cheered on eighteen competitors at the National Constitution Center, as they competed for the title of National Challenge Champion. The participants who took the stage in Philadelphia represented thousands of students who took part in local- and state-level YBTC Challenges nationwide!
2009 National You Be The Chemist Challenge®
The biggest National Challenge yet saw fifteen states represented by their State Challenge Champions, who were prepared for a tough competition! More than a dozen companies sponsored the event, held at the National Constitution Center, and company representatives in attendance were excited to see the participants’ knowledge of and passion for chemistry!
2008 National You Be The Chemist Challenge®
Eleven states were represented in Philadelphia at the Chemical Heritage Foundation as we kicked off the fourth annual National YBTC Challenge! Students answered tougher questions than ever in front of a crowd of nearly 100. The celebratory dinner included fun and games at Dave & Busters, and a good time was had by all!
2007 National You Be The Chemist Challenge®
Twelve students from eight states came together at the Chemical Heritage Foundation in Philadelphia to compete at the biggest National Challenge yet! One sponsor, Brenntag North America, reported that the Challenge: “[has] done a superb job of sparking an interest in chemistry for our younger generation. As a major global chemical company, Brenntag is acutely aware […]
2006 National You Be The Chemist Challenge®
Seven participants and their families were treated to a tour of the historical artifacts at the Chemical Heritage Foundation, an afternoon exploring the wonders of science at the interactive Franklin Institute, and other Philadelphia fun as the backdrop to an exciting chemistry competition!
2005 National You Be The Chemist Challenge®
The first ever National Challenge event was a huge success! Held at the Chemical Heritage Foundation in Philadelphia, eighth-grader Maggie Leake of Verona, IL became CEF’s first ever National You Be The Chemist Challenge® Champion. Maggie beat five other talented students to take home the top prize. Today, Maggie is finishing a dual degree in […]
