Adrian, MI, February 25, 2025 –– Young scientists from across the region showcased their chemistry knowledge and problem-solving skills at the You Be The Chemist competition at Adrian High School’s Performing Arts Center on February 24th. Annually the event aims to inspire a love for science, promote STEM education, and highlight the importance of chemistry in everyday life. This year students from both Lenawee and Washtenaw Counties put their chemistry knowledge to the test at the competition coordinated by the Lenawee Intermediate School District (LISD), Lenawee Now, and the Lenawee Chemical Collaborative.
The You Be the Chemist Challenge® is a free competition for students in grades 5-8 developed by the Chemical Education Foundation, a national organization devoted to the education of chemistry. The event features small teams answering timed multiple-choice and short-answer questions related to chemistry concepts. In addition, participating teams will showcase their creativity by crafting a video response to this year’s national theme, proposing innovative solutions to real-world problems.
"You Be the Chemist is an excellent opportunity for our local students to engage in STEM in a fun and collaborative way. Students leave the event with new learning about chemistry as well as the chemical industry in Lenawee County,” said Jackie Murray, LISD Science Curriculum Consultant. “I was so excited to see the competition expand with a new district, Blissfield Community Schools, and a parent-led group participating as well. I hope this event continues to grow with more districts so that this experience may be available to more 5th to 8th graders."
Adrian Public Schools, Tecumseh Public Schools, Blissfield Community Schools, Onsted Community Schools, and a parent-led group from Washtenaw County participated this year, with a team from Tecumseh winning the event, while Onsted placed second and Blissfield placed third. All local teams will have their regional results combined with their video scores to determine state winners. The top five teams amongst state winners will advance to the National Challenge in Houston, Texas this summer and compete for scholarships.
“Lenawee Now, and its partners the Align Center for Workforce Development, and the Lenawee County Chemical Collaborative, consisting of Wacker Chemical, Anderson Development, Evonik, W2Fuel, and PPG, are happy to support this annual effort. We believe it’s important to support educational efforts in the sciences and promote local opportunities in STEM-related careers. Congratulations to our 2025 winners,” said Jack Townsley, Lenawee Now industry Cluster Coordinator.
Winning team photos
First place: Tecumseh (Blake McNamara, Charlie Stark, and Maxwell Husband with LISD Superintendent Mark Haag)
Second place: Onsted (Matthew Reynolds and Ryker Tornow with LISD Superintendent Mark Haag)
Third place: Blissfield (Garrett Smith, Truitt Porter, Sofie Quinton and Kendyl Triggs with LISD Superintendent Mark Haag)