United Kingdom Mathematis Challenges (UKMT)

You Be The Chemist Challenge

Held for 36 years, 60,000 participants every year

Sponsored by 100+ world leading chemical companies

Suitable for primary and middle school students with no chemical background

Encourage critical thinking and an interest in chemistry

Qualifier Round Date: Dec. 14, 2025 (Sun.) 40 mins

You Be The Chemist Challenge

Held for 36 years, 60,000 participants every year

Sponsored by 100+ world leading chemical companies

Suitable for primary and middle school students with no chemical background

Encourage critical thinking and an interest in chemistry

Qualifier Round Date: Dec. 14, 2025 (Sun.) 40 mins

Organizer

The Chemical Educational Foundation (CEF) was founded by the National Association of Chemical Distributors (NACD) in 1989. Its mission is to build the excitement and value of chemistry and STEM careers with K-8 students through accessible science programs and hands-on experiences. CEF’s circle of supporters now also includes consumer product corporations and a range of STEM and science-related businesses that are U.S. and global leaders. CEF’s You Be The Chemist Challenge is a collaborative, multilevel academic competition that celebrates the science of chemistry and elevates STEM careers. Official website: www.chemed.org
The YBTC does not emphasize the mastery of chemistry, but focuses more on the development of interest in and the ability to explore science. Participants are organized into teams of four and are given an all-round experience in various forms of science learning through multiple-choice written tests, on-the-spot quizzes, and demonstrations of chemistry experiments and scientific research.

36 Years

American historic You be the Chemist

60000

60,000 contestants participate each year globally

2 Rounds

Advancement and Challenges

4 Students

4 students per team Group participation

Basic

knowledge of chemistry

Grade

From fifth grade to eighth grade

You Be The Chemist Challenge®

Introduction

You Be The Chemist Challenge is a collaborative, multilevel academic competition that celebrates the science of chemistry and elevates STEM careers. Official website: www.chemed.orgwww.chemed.org

The YBTC does not emphasize the mastery of chemistry, but focuses more on the development of interest in and the ability to explore science. Participants are organized into teams of four and are given an all-round experience in various forms of science learning through multiple-choice written tests, on-the-spot quizzes, and demonstrations of chemistry experiments and scientific research. The detailed academic preparation materials will be provided to the students (the Chinese version is available in China.) The YBTC does not emphasize the mastery of chemistry, but focuses more on the development of interest in and the ability to explore science. Participants are organized into teams of four and are given an all-round experience in various forms of science learning through multiple-choice written tests, on-the-spot quizzes, and demonstrations of chemistry experiments and scientific research.

Advancement system

Qualifier Round

Qualifier Round

Date: Dec. 14, 2025 (Sun.) 40 mins
Form: Online
Eligibility: Primary School – Grade 5-6 / Year 6-7 • Middle School – Grade 7-8 / Year 8-9
Team: 4 students, mixed grade teams in primary or middle schools are acceptable. Each student takes the exam individually, and then take the average score.
Format: 40 multiple choice questions, 1 point for each correct answer, 0 points for blank or wrong answers.
Deadline: 2 weeks before the competition

Award

Perfect Score: Individual with full scores
Prize Award: Teams with full scores
Distinction Award: Top 30% of the Asian team
Qualifier Award: Top 50% of the Asian team

* Participation and awarded certificates will be issued in the form of e-Certs. Winners are eligible to be invited to the final round.

Qualifier Round

Final Round

Date: May 2026
Location: Shanghai, China
Qualifications: • Teams that have won the Prize, Distinction, and Qualifier awards in the Qualifier Round • Team members cannot be replaced. If one person cannot participate, the remaining team can continue to participate. If two members are unable to participate, remaining team members need to adjust and merge.

Content

Knowledge Competition: The host reads the questions, and each team has 30-60 seconds to answer questions.
Chemistry Video Creation: Each team will design a 5-8 minute “Chemistry Themed video” based on the theme of CEF. It is required to include a team introduction and show discoveries of chemistry in daily life to prove and explain the chemical materials behind them through experiments or illustrations.
Other Fun Academic Activities: In the final round, students will have the opportunity to participate in a variety of challenging and fun activities, such as Science Bazaar and Science All Star Guts. These activities not only test the students’ abilities but also provide opportunities for social interaction and fun competition.

Academic guidance

Committee will provide a series of videos and related study materials
Each team can look for an advisor who is responsible for answering the difficulties students have encountered during the experiment. The advisor is only responsible for answering questions and not for helping students design experiments.