Local Chemistry Whiz Crowned State Champ

Posted: Published on June 4th, 2014

This post was added by Dr P. Richardson

Dana Point student advances to national You Be The Chemist Challenge

California You Be The Chemist finalists (L to R) Brian Chap, Matthew Kim, Ayush Nabar, Brenden Gibson, Conlan Taylor and Sharleen Loh prepare for the final round of state competition. Courtesy photo

By Andrea Papagianis

Based on empirical evidence, Brendan Gibson is quite the chemistry whiz.

This month, the eighth-grader at St. Edward the Confessor Parish School was named the states You Be The Chemist champion. But for Gibson, and his classmates, the preparation began months ago.

This program was an excellent means to supplement our chemistry curriculum and science program by providing our school with chemistry content, resources, lab materials and corporate support, said Fran Pijor, the sixth- and eighth-grade science teacher at St. Edwards.

The You Be The Chemist Challenge is a question-and-answer competition that tests fifth- through eighth-grade students on chemistry concepts, scientific theories and laboratory safety. It was developed by the Chemical Education Foundation to enhance science education nationwide.

Since the challenges introduction four years ago, eighth-grade students at the Dana Point school have studied chemistry throughout the year in preparation. The road to Californias competition began in February as St. Edwards students went head-to-head. Multiple choice tests whittled contestants to 16.

The next round of tests challenged the students further with tougher questions.

In the end, three students came out on top. Gibson, along with classmates Brendan Myers and Nick Sanchez traveled to the Discovery Science Center in Santa Ana. On May 3, the three went up against 25 other students from across California.

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Local Chemistry Whiz Crowned State Champ

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