Ogden Youth Wins State Chemistry Challenge YMCA of Northern Utah Hosts You Be The Chemist State Challenge as part of its commitment to Youth Development and expanding STEM opportunities for Utah’s Youth. Starting in early March the YMCA of Northern Utah began its quest to find the You Be The Chemist State Challenge Champion. Over 650 kids in 5th8th grade from across the state entered the first round of eliminations by way of taking a test provided by the Chemical Educational Foundation. Based on the results of that test the top 60 competitors were then entered into two local challenges (one in Ogden and one in Cedar City). The best of the best then dueled it out last weekend for the state title. The State Challenge at Mound Fort Jr. High of Ogden School District started off with an exciting and explosive chemistry demonstrations provided by Southern Utah University Professor Dr. Hussein Samha. Immediately after his demonstrations the State Challenge began. The competition operated in a quiz bowl format with several rounds of multiple choice chemistry questions. These questions were displayed on large screens allowing both students and audience members to try for the right answer. When the questions went up students had a restricted amount of time to answer using electronic response devices. After seven rounds of questions Bryce Montgomery of Ogden School District’s Taylor Canyon Elementary School was crowned Utah’s You Be The Chemist State Challenge Champion! This year’s challenge was a close race with Brody Lister as first runner up from Taylor Canyon Elementary, Jared Winn as second runner up from Canyon View Middle School, and Maddox Lister as third runner up from Mount Ogden Jr. High School. Bryce will now be flying to Philadelphia for the You Be The Chemist National Challenge June 20 th with his teacher Kimberly Lundgren and one of his parents. At Nationals he will compete with State Challenge winners from 38 different states for his chance to win $10,000 and the title of You Be The Chemist Challenge National Champion. Ogden’s You Be the Chemist Local Challenge and the State Challenge was sponsored by the Craig and Connie Thatcher Foundation , by the Bruce and Tammy Schechinger Foundation and a STEMLink Grant through the Department of Work Force Services. Special thanks to the Ogden City School District for hosting the event at Mound Fort Junior High School.
About the YMCA of Northern Utah The Y is and always will be, dedicated to building healthy, confident, connected and secure children, adults, families and communities. The Y is continually looking to provide value, to stay relevant and to serve communities in the ways they need most. The Y offers programs, services and initiatives focused on youth development, healthy living and social responsibility, according to the unique needs of the communities it engages. For more information, please visit ymcautah.org.
