Top winner: ‘I took some educated guesses … got it’
Looking to the future is the reason why Dow brings its National Chemistry Competition to communities like St. Charles Parish.
“As we look to the future, our workforce will need to be highly skilled in technology and science,” said Ashley Mendoza, public affairs manager at Dow’s St. Charles Operations. “We believe that if we can foster an interest in chemistry, and all STEM activities, at a young age, we can help encourage students with an inclination to science and technology to pursue these careers. This challenge is a lot of fun, and it also recognizes students who excel in chemistry.”
Of the 24 students who competed in Dow’s fifth annual Dow St. Charles You Be the Chemist Challenge, three placed as winners: Julian St. Pierre, St. Charles Borromeo School in Destrehan, won first place; Brandon Fortes placed second and Isaach Brown, placed third, both are students at Harry Hurst Middle School.
The three are going to the state championship on April 14, but they also got prizes. St. Pierre received an iPad mini; Fortes, a GoPro Hero, and Brown, Beats headphones.
The state winners move on to compete in the National Challenge held in Washington D.C. in June. For more information about the competition, please visit CEF’s website at www.chemed.org.
As for going to state competition, St. Pierre said, “I’m ready for that.”
Sponsored locally and nationally by Dow, the Challenge is an academic competition created by the Chemical Educational Foundation (CEF). Surrounded by their families, friends and community members, students competed against one another through three rounds of multiple-choice questions that tested their knowledge of chemistry concepts, important discoveries, and chemical safety awareness.
“Education is the driver for innovation, manufacturing and economic prosperity in our communities,” Mendoza said. “Supporting the local You Be the Chemist Challenge is one of the ways we hope to spark excitement around STEM for young people.”
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