CEF (Chemical Educational Foundation): Challenge

Past National YBTC Challenges

Read about CEF's previous National Challenge competitions below and contact CEF to find out how YOU can be a part of this exhilirating educational experience!

2011 National YBTC Challenge

Andrew Lingenfelter, an eighth grader from Seneca Falls Middle School in Evans City, PA, has won the Chemical Educational Foundation’s (CEF’s) 2011 National You Be The Chemist Challenge – an academic competition that quizzes grade 5-8 students on important chemistry concepts, processes, and historical discoveries.

2011 National Challenge Participants

The 2011 competition brought together almost two hundred chemical industry representatives, family members, and educators in a celebration of chemistry. “The bright young minds showcased in this year’s National Challenge, are a testament to the fact that students are gaining greater exposure to chemistry through this program,” stated CEF Executive Director John Rice. “This has been the most successful Challenge year yet with more chemical companies than ever before partnering with the educators and schools in their community – leading to a greater number of students being engaged in science education and the development of stronger community relationships,” he added.

Following the competition, more fun ensued at the 2011 National Challenge and International Year of Chemistry Celebration Dinner! The following day, participants and their guests enjoyed other exciting activities and delicious meals.

*National Challenge photos courtesy of Jim Harris Studios

Meet the Participants!

Namita, California representative Maggie, Connecticut representative Vishal, District of Columbia representative Haripriya, Illinois representative

Caitlin, Kentucky representative Thuc, Louisiana representative Paloma, Maryland representative Shivani, Massachusetts representative

Joshen, Michigan representative Matthew, New Jersey representative Lexi, North Carolina representative Earth, Ohio representative

Tate, Oklahoma representative Andrew, Pennsylvania representative Jonathan, South Carolina representative Khai, Texas representative

Colter, Utah representative Nirmaan, Virginia representative Heidi, Wisconsin representative

*2011 competition photos by Jim Harris Studios

2010 National YBTC Challenge

Adrian Gunawan, an eighth grader at South Middle School in Arlington Heights, IL, demonstrated what he knows about chemistry, fielding question after question to become the 2010 National You Be The Chemist Challenge Champion! Adrian and 17 other students from around the country battled through eight rounds of tough competition at the event held Friday, June 18, 2010 at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, PA.

2010 National Challenge Participants
*2010 competition photos by Capone Photography, LLC - NJ

The 2010 competition brought together more than one hundred chemical industry representatives, family members, and educators in a celebration of chemistry. Following the competition, more fun ensued! Participants and their guests enjoyed exciting activities and delicious meals.

2009 National YBTC Challenge

On Friday, June 19, fifteen students from across the country showcased their knowledge of chemistry concepts, important discoveries, and safety awareness as they battled to become champion of a national chemistry competition created by the Chemical Educational Foundation (CEF).

2009 National Challenge Participants
*2009 competition photos by Capone Photography, LLC - NJ

After seven rounds, Daniel Hulgan, an eighth grader at Westdale Middle School in Baton Rouge, LA, emerged as the winner, gaining the title of 2009 National Challenge champion! Nabil Shaikh, an eighth grader at Exeter Junior High School in Reading, PA, and Siddhant Shah, an eighth grader at City Hill Middle School in Naugatuck, CT, placed second and third, respectively.

2008 National Challenge

The thrill of a Challenge brought almost one hundred chemical industry representatives, excited family members, and educators to cheer on the twelve participants of the Chemical Educational Foundation’s (CEF’s) 2008 National You Be The Chemist Challenge on Friday, June 13 at the Chemical Heritage Foundation in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

After more than one hundred questions were asked, Christopher, an 8th grader from Elk Grove, Illinois, emerged as the winner, earning the title of 2008 National Challenge Champion! Ethan, an 8th grader from Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, and Nabil, a 7th grader from Reading, Pennsylvania, placed second and third, respectively.

The other participants were: Mahala from Brandenburg, KY; Kit from Fort Mill, SC; Raine from Houston, TX; Jeremiah from Toledo, OH; Emily from Washington, DC; Inderbir from Baton Rouge, LA; Andrew from Duncan, OK; Doug from Norwalk, CT; and Elijah from Davidson, NC.

2007 National YBTC Challenge Participants
*2008 competition photos by Capone Photography, LLC - NJ

2007 National Challenge

The 2007 National You Be The Chemist Challenge was held on June 15 at the Chemical Heritage Foundation in Philadelphia, PA. Students from grades 5-8 came from around the country to participate in two days of fun activities, sight-seeing... and a Challenge!

2007 National YBTC Challenge Winners On June 15, Brook, a sixth grader from Reading, PA, won the title of National You Be The Chemist Challenge Champion for 2007. Brook and eleven other anxious contestants gathered at the Chemical Heritage Foundation in Philadelphia, PA, geared up for a challenge! Coming in second place was Alex, an 8th grader from Mount Prospect, IL and third place winner was Christopher, a 7th grader from Elk Grove Village, IL.

The other participants were Stephanie, an 8th grader from Houston, TX; Caity, an 8th grader from Pentwater, MI; Taylor, an 8th grader from Aston, PA; Morgan, a 7th grader from Knippa, TX; Sarah, an 8th grader from Duncan, OK; Dylan, a 7th grader from Brandenburg, KY; Genevieve, an 8th grader from Sterling Heights, MI; Ryan, an 8th grader from Charlotte, NC; and Clay, a 5th grader from Fort Mill, SC.

2007 National YBTC Challenge Participants
*2007 competition photos by Douglas A. Lockard Photography, PA

2006 National Challenge

On June 9, 2006, Karen, a seventh grader from Peru, IL, won the title of National You Be The Chemist Challenge Champion! Rachel, an 8th grader from Brandenburg, KY came in second place. Other participants were Aidan, a 6th grader from Chesterfield, MI; Dan, an 8th grader from Des Plaines, IL; Sarah, an 8th grader from Mt. Clemens, MI; Jasmine, an 8th grader from Rochester, NY; and Elena, a 6th grader from Houston, TX.

2006 National YBTC Challenge Participants
*2006 competition photo by Douglas A. Lockard Photography, PA

2005 National Challenge

On June 3, 2005, eighth grader Maggie of Verona, IL became CEF’s first ever National You Be The Chemist Challenge Champion! Kyle, an eighth grader from Morris, IL, and James, an eighth grader from Webster, KY, came in second and third places, respectively. Other participants were Kyle, an 8th grader from Morris, IL; Tracy, an 8th grader from Elk Grove Village, IL; Cody, a 6th grader from Houston, TX; Kelsie, a 6th grader from Cypress, TX; and James, an 8th grader from Webster, KY.

2005 National YBTC Challenge Participants
*2005 competition photo by Douglas A. Lockard Photography, PA

2011-2012 Challenge Program

With our 2011-2012 Challenge cycle underway, browse our website for more information on this year's Local, State and National You Be The Chemist Challenge competitions!

The CEF staff continues to develop new Challenge sites across the country through partnerships with industry members and community volunteers. You can help too! – Make a contribution to CEF in support of this highly successful and growing program or ask how you can host a Local Challenge in your community.

For more information or to share your thoughts about the National Challenge, contact us at:

The Chemical Educational Foundation
1555 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 700
Arlington, VA 22209
Phone: 703/527-6223