CK Middle School Students Top in Chemistry, Headed to Nationals

Cranbrook Kingswood Middle school students have placed first and third in a state-wide chemistry competition out of a field of 10,000 students. Eighth grader Ryan Neff is the Michigan Champion for the You Be The Chemist Challenge, and eight grader Gurliv Chahal placed third. Neff will represent the state at the National competition on June 24. Congratulations to both students on their outstanding performances!

 

The following is the complete press release from the Chemical education Foundation and PVS-Nolwood Chemicals.

 

Wixom, Mich. April 27, 2013— Students from across the Michigan proved that they are “chemists in the making” as they participated in a competition that tests their knowledge in chemistry concepts, discoveries, and chemical safety awareness tips.

 

Twenty eight students competed for the title of the Michigan You Be The Chemist Challenge (YBTCC) champion. The academic competition created by the Chemical Educational Foundation (CEF) is a question and answer event that is open to fifth through eighth graders nationwide.

 

PVS Chemicals, Inc., a Detroit based company owned and operated by James B. Nicholson, Dow Chemical of Midland, BASF, and Webb Chemical of Muskegon, Michigan sponsored and operated regional competitions in Michigan involving an approximate 10,000 total students that resulted in the 28 contestants competing for the State Championship in Wixom.

 

The Michigan Champion is Ryan Neff, an eighth grade student at Cranbrook Boys Middle School in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. Akanksha Pattanik a 6th grade student at Webster Elementary in Livonia, Michigan was the runner-up. They both entered the Championship Round tied and Ryan won the event by answering 2 of the 3 questions correctly asked in the Championship Round. Ryan is awarded a trip for himself and a parent to Philadelphia to compete in the National Challenge. Ryan also won a $500 gift card. Ryan also was awarded a trip to WJR Radio studios and an interview by Paul W. Smith.

 

The Michigan State YBTCC Challenge was taped by Detroit Public TV and will be the subject of a one hour television show to be aired June 26th at 8pm and then will be available on the “On Demand” section of their website. Donations by PVS Chemicals Inc., Dow Chemical, and BASF Corporation made the television broadcast of a YBTCC event possible.

 

Held June 24th at the Kimmel Center in Philadelphia, PA, the National YBTCC is an exciting educational event for students in grades 5 through 8 that aims to partner chemical companies with schools in their local community.

 

First, second, and third place winners of the national competition receive educational savings bonds and all contestants receive gift certificates to the Discovery Channel Store, CHEMC1000 Chemistry Kits, and fun YBTCC apparel. While in Philadelphia the students also visit the Franklin Institute of Science.

 

The 2013-1024 Challenge will kick-off in September.

 

Founded in 1992 and headquartered in Arlington, VA, the Chemical Educational Foundation is dedicated to fostering a greater understanding of the science of chemistry, the benefits of chemicals, and the importance of chemical safety awareness.