You Be The Chemist Challenges Kick-off across the Country

 Science-minded students from across the country have begun to test their technical know-how during the Chemical Educational Foundation’s annual You Be The Chemist Challenge® (YBTC), a knowledge-based competition being hosted in U.S. communities beginning this month. Dow is in its third year of sponsorship for the competition, which has been compared to a science spelling bee, with students answering questions to advance to future rounds.


YBTC Challenges are designed to enhance K-8 science education by introducing the central role chemistry plays across the broad spectrum of sciences. Local competitions run until May and June, when qualifying students advance to compete in state and national competitions. The national Challenge is hosted each year in Philadelphia, Pa. All along the way, Dow employees at manufacturing sites throughout the U.S. volunteer to coach students and to make sure the competitions run smoothly.


According to Rob Vallentine, director of STEM Education for Dow, “The Challenge is a fun and unique forum that enhances K-8 science education by introducing the pivotal role that chemistry plays in all the sciences and in our everyday lives. Dow is passionate in its commitment to science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education and recognizes that by stimulating an interest in, access to, and the quality of STEM education in the U.S. and the world, that we will ensure a steady pipeline of talent for the future.”


Dow is currently hosting local challenges for YBTC in Delaware Valley, Indiana, Louisiana, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Texas, Since first partnering with YBTC in 2012, Dow has nearly doubled the number of communities in which it supports Challenges, with more than 2,000 students expected to participate this year alone.


To learn more about the event and the communities where it will be hosted visit http://www.chemed.org/ybtc.