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 everyday lives is a truly rewarding experience for all who are involved,” commented John Rice, CEF’s Executive Director. While 25 students competed for the title, it was a sixth-grader from Illinois who claimed the top prize.