A student from San Diego finished in second place in the annual “You Be the Chemist” challenge for the nation's future scientists, held in Washington D.C. on Monday.
Nikhil Seshadri, an 8th grade student from Standley Middle School engaged in a brainy battle with an elite group of 42 middle schoolers, chosen by the Chemical Educational Foundation.
Students in grades five through eight answered complex chemistry questions until a winner was named. The champion of the interactive academic challenge wins a scholarship up to $12,000.
The challenge is an opportunity for individuals and organizations to come together and show their support for STEM education, according to the Chemical Education Foundation's (CEF) website.
Seshadri said he loves chemistry and has always wanted to be in a competition.
“This is my chance and I feel really good,” said Seshadri.
The competition pits students from 42 states and territories against each other at the national level, although students must advance in competitions at the local and state level first, according to the CEF website.
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The top four achievers will win TI-84 Plus calculators, trophies and scholarships for higher education, ranging from $1,500 to $12,000.
Individuals interested in being involved with future CEF challenges can visit the CEF inquiry form.
Is your chemistry knowledge as light as helium or as heavy as plutonium? Take the chemistry quiz and see if you have what it takes to compete against Seshadri.
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