You be the Chemist Challenge on February 28, 2015

Contributed by Dr. Deana Jaber, CSW-YCC Co-chair

Marymount University’s biology department, in collaboration with the Chemical Educational Foundation and the CSW-YCC committee, is hosting a chemistry challenge for middle school students from 1 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 28 in the Reinsch Library Auditorium. “You Be the Chemist” is a question-and-answer competition for grades five through eight with a format similar to the National Spelling Bee. It’s designed to engage students in learning about important chemistry concepts, discoveries and lab safety.


Nine different schools from Arlington and Fairfax counties will each send two students. The winner will advance to a state competition that will take place in Suffolk on April 26. Each state winner from across the country will receive a free trip, along with a chaperone and educator, to the national challenge June 22 in Philadelphia. For more information on the national program, go to www.chemed.org/ybtc/.

Below is the list of schools participating this year in the competition:
1. Glasgow Middle School
2. Kenmore Middle School
3. Williamsburg Middle School
4. Longfellow MS
5. Haycock Elementary
6. Nysmith School
7. Spring Hill ElementarySchool
8. Edlin School
9. Stenwood Elementary School