Chemical Educational Foundation

CEF’s You Be The Chemist® programs are designed to enhance K-8 STEM education by introducing the central role of chemistry in all the sciences and in our everyday lives. We rely on the collaboration of industry, educators, and community members to accomplish our mission of enhancing science education among every generation, beginning with our youth.
The You Be The Chemist® Activity Guides: Lesson Plans for Making Chemistry Fun offer a variety of exciting science lesson plans, enabling educators to bring hands-on learning to students, inside and outside of the classroom. The Activity Guides are divided according to grade level, one for grades K–4 and the other for grades 5–8.
CEF’s You Be The Chemist Essential Elements℠ program is a professional development workshop designed to provide K–8 educators—our “essential elements” in education—with methods for teaching chemistry concepts through hands-on learning and real-world connections.
The You Be The Chemist Challenge® is an interactive academic contest that encourages students in grades 5-8 to explore chemistry concepts and their real-world applications. The Challenge provides a unique opportunity for a variety of individuals and organizations—including schools, members of the chemical industry, educators, and other community partners—to come together and show their support for STEM education.