Enhance Education Explore Science

CEF_Challenge_Brochure_R4b_Layout 1 10/2/13 3:29 PM Page 1
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Sponsor of Local, State, and
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Explore Science
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Joe Jakcsy, Educator, Cook Cou
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challenge@chemed.org
www.chemed.org
CEF_Challenge_Brochure_R4b_Layout 1 10/2/13 3:30 PM Page 2
Champion the Challenge!
www.chemed.org
What is the
You Be The Chemist
Challenge®?
The Chemical Educational Foundation®
(CEF) is a nationally recognized non-profit
organization dedicated to enhancing
science education! CEF’s fastest growing
program is the You Be The Chemist
Challenge® (Challenge). The Challenge is
an exciting academic contest that uses
the drama of competition to encourage
grade 5–8 students to explore important
chemistry concepts, scientific discoveries,
and laboratory safety. Think spelling bees
or quiz bowls but with science questions!
How Does It Work?
The Challenge operates on three
competitive levels: local, state, and
national. Top Local Challenge competitors
advance to State Challenge competitions,
and one winner from each State
Challenge advances to the National
Challenge held each June in Philadelphia,
PA. CEF creates the educational content,
industry and community members
organize and/or sponsor the events, and
educators reinforce science concepts
with all of their students through the
supplemental study materials.
How Do I Get
Involved?
The Challenge follows
a standard school-year
timeline, starting in fall and
ending in June.
September
Local Challenge site
registration begins!
Organizers contact schools and
homeschool associations to get
grade 5–8 students involved in the
upcoming Challenge cycle.
Who Competes?
Participation in the Challenge is open to
grade 5–8 students across the country. By
participating in the Challenge, competitors
enjoy the thrill of competition, win fun
prizes, and meet students and professionals
who share a passion for science.
Participating students have the opportunity
to represent their state at the national event
and win an expenses paid trip to
Philadelphia, PA, where they will compete
against students from across the country
for grand prizes, explore the city’s historic
and scientific heritage, and pursue the title
of National Challenge Champion!
November
Students take the Qualifying
Exam! Schools and homeschool
associations across the country
administer the Qualifying Exam
to identify the students who
will compete in the Local
Challenge competition.
December
Local Challenge registration
deadline! Organizers register their
site through CEF and students
utilize the online study materials
to prepare for their upcoming
Local Challenge.
January—
March
Local Challenge Organizers
prepare for and hold Local Challenge
competitions! Top participants
advance to their State Challenge.
The Challenge program provides
opportunities for a diverse group of
community members to get involved.
While CEF coordinates the National
Challenge, CEF relies on a dedicated
network of volunteers to organize and
sponsor Local and State Challenges.
By championing the Challenge,
educators, industry professionals,
and community organizations have
a unique opportunity to work together
to promote science education. To find
out more or start a Challenge site,
visit www.chemed.org or contact the
CEF Challenge team at 703/527-6223.
Competition
Materials &
Educational Merit
CEF creates the study materials and questions
for each level of the competition. The student
study materials are available on the CEF
website. The Challenge materials align to the
Next Generation Science Standards and include
basic science concepts that appear in many
state assessments. A team of chemical
industry members, professors, and curriculum
specialists develops the materials, which
educators may use to introduce key science
topics like the scientific method, properties
of matter, and chemical reactions. Challenge
materials also integrate language arts and
history, presenting chemistry concepts
in a format that both tests and entertains.
April
State Challenge Organizers
prepare for and hold State
Challenge competitions!
One winner from each state
advances to the National
Challenge competition.
June
CEF organizes and holds
the National Challenge in
Philadelphia, PA! Each State
Challenge winner, a chaperone,
and a nominated educator
receive an expenses paid trip
to the national competition.
The Challenge is ...
“… an amazing opportunity for young scientists to show what
they know and compete in a healthy, friendly environment.”
Max Troyke, You Be The Chemist Challenge Participant, Bartlett, IL
”… not only of value to those who wish to pursue a
future in the sciences, but … [a] contribution to the
construction of a well-informed general public.”
Robin Rotenburg, BASF Corporation,
Sponsor of Local, State, and National Challenges,
Headquartered in Florham Park, NJ
“… a celebration of students who put effort into studying
chemistry and an opportunity to see how their interest could lead
to a career in the sciences, particularly chemistry. Students walk
away knowing that chemistry goes beyond the classroom.”
Karen Marden, Parent of a National You Be The Chemist Challenge Participant, Franklin Lakes, NJ
Sample
Challenge
Question
What piece of laboratory equipment
is shown in the image below? a. A graduated flask
b. A Florence flask
c. A Bunsen flask
d. A volumetric flask
Help CEF foster a greater
understanding of the science
and value of chemistry!
Chemical Educational Foundation
& You Be The Chemist
@chem_ed
CEFYBTC Channel
www.chemed.org
challenge@chemed.org
703/527-6223