Participant & Chaperone

Information Guide

June 18—21, 2016

Philadelphia, PA

www.chemed.org
#2016NationalChallenge
Table of Contents
Please review all of the information in this document in regards to the 2016 National You Be The Chemist
Challenge®.

Please note that all registration items, travel information, and other requested items for participants and
chaperones and your guests are due by Wednesday, May 11, 2016.

If you have any questions, please contact Avery Keese, Outreach Coordinator at the Chemical Educational
Foundation® (CEF), at 571-482-3071 or akeese@chemed.org.

Registration Page 3

Participant & Chaperone Travel, Hotel, &

Meal Arrangements Page 4-5

Participant Guest Hotel and Meals Page 5

Schedule of Events Page 6-7

Dress Code Page 9

Contact Information Page 10

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Registration
Please note: Chaperones must register for the event using the same email address that received the
preliminary National Challenge email. Once you begin filling out the online registration forms referenced
below, you will then have seven days to access and continue filling out the form. If you do not access your
registration within seven days of beginning the process, all previous information entered will be erased and
you will have to start the registration process from the beginning.

 Participants and Chaperones

Participants and chaperones must complete the 2016 National Challenge Chaperone and Participant
Online Registration Form and submit the required materials by May 11, 2016 in order to participate in
the National Challenge.

The following is required to complete the online registration form:

1. A recent headshot of the participant (preferably a school photo).
o The photo should be high-resolution and the electronic file (.jpg, .png, etc.) should be
saved as the participant’s first and last name.
2. Participant answers for our participant bio questions.
o This part of the registration process includes informative and fun questions that CEF
may refer to during the event.
3. Participant and chaperone travel receipts or driving information, saved as a pdf.
o See page 4 for more information regarding travel.

One registration item you will not be able to submit via the online registration form is a short video of
the participant (no longer than 90 seconds). This video must be submitted to Avery Keese via email
(akeese@chemed.org) by May 11. Videos taken on a smartphone can be emailed from the device. If
using a video camera, please upload the file to your computer then send it to Avery. The video should
include:
1. The participant introducing him/herself:
o Please start the video with the participant stating: “Hi, I’m [first and last name] and
I’m the 2016 [state name] Challenge Champion!”
2. The participant should then answer the following questions:
o If you could meet any scientist past or present, who would you choose to meet and
why?
o What do you think is the most influential science discovery?
o If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?
o Have you have ever been to a scientifically important place (i.e. a museum, location of
a discovery, geological site, etc.)? If so, tell us about it! If not, where would you like to
go?

 Participant Guests
Each participant may bring up to six guests to the National Challenge (not including the participant’s
chaperone). If you would like to bring more than six guests, please contact Avery. All guests must
complete the Participant Guest Online Registration Form by May 11. Multiple guests may be
registered using one form.

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Participant & Chaperone Travel, Hotel, and Meal Arrangements
 Travel Arrangements:
1. CEF requires participants and chaperones to attend all National Challenge events beginning
with check-in with the CEF staff on Saturday, June 18 through breakfast on Tuesday, June 21.
Participants and Chaperones must arrive in Philadelphia by 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 18.
See the full Schedule of Events (page 6-7) for more event information.

2. CEF will reimburse travel costs for the participant and chaperone up to the amount of $500
each ($1,000 total). You will receive your travel reimbursement check at breakfast on
Tuesday, June 21.
 Please be sure to look for reasonably priced flights and/or travel costs when making
travel arrangements. CEF does not reimburse for upgrades or special purchases such
as first class tickets, travel protection/insurance, indirect travel, or checked baggage. If
you have trouble making travel arrangements for the appropriate times and/or within
the reimbursable amount, please contact Avery immediately so we can assist you with
your travel arrangements.

3. You are responsible for booking your travel by May 11. Please upload your travel itinerary
and/or receipt(s) to the Participant and Chaperone Online Registration Form. If we do not
receive this information, we cannot process your reimbursement.

 Travel Reimbursement:
1. Participants and chaperones must be present throughout all National Challenge events to
receive a full travel reimbursement. Please contact Avery immediately if you are unable to
attend any events. Any cancellations, ticket changes, or early departures (without prior
approval from CEF) will be at your own cost.

2. If driving, you will be asked to upload a PDF of your roundtrip driving route in your online
registration form. To do so, use Google Maps to enter your home address as the departure
address and the Hilton Philadelphia at Penn’s Landing (201 S Christopher Columbus Blvd,
Philadelphia, PA 19106) as your destination address and then save it as a PDF to upload. CEF
will then calculate the full reimbursement based on the round trip mileage to and from
Philadelphia. Reimbursements will be issued using the most direct route at the government
rate as published at the time the event begins on June 18, 2016. CEF will also cover the costs
to self-park at the hotel (not valet).

 Hotel Arrangements:
1. Participants and chaperones are required to stay at the Hilton Philadelphia at Penn’s Landing
from Saturday, June 18 through Tuesday, June 21 (Saturday, Sunday, and Monday nights). CEF
will cover the cost of one double room for each participant and chaperone to share (two
double beds). A credit card will be required for check-in, as any incidentals will be at your own
cost.

2. Early or extended stays are at your own cost (unless you have received prior approval from
CEF). Should you decide to stay at the hotel beyond the required nights, you can request to
book additional nights at the Hilton Philadelphia at Penn’s Landing through your online
registration form. Additional nights are available at a first-come, first serve basis. You will
receive CEF’s discounted National Challenge rate of $155.00 per night (plus tax).

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 3. If CEF has approved an early/extended stay to accommodate travel distance/time, please be
sure to request any additional nights on your registration form.

4. You will receive a hotel confirmation email from the CEF staff on Tuesday, June 7. The hotel
confirmation email will include your confirmation number and any other details/important
information regarding you stay.

 Provided Meals:
1. CEF will provide the following meals for each participant and chaperone. All other meals are at
your own expense.
 Dinner on Saturday, June 18
 Breakfast, lunch, and dinner* on Sunday, June 19
 *CEF will provide a $50 voucher for a local restaurant (you will choose a
restaurant in the online registration form)
 Breakfast, lunch, and dinner on Monday, June 20
 Breakfast on Tuesday, June 21

Participant Guest Hotel and Meals

 Hotel Arrangements:
1. Registered guests may also request to book rooms at the Hilton Philadelphia at Penn’s Landing
through the Participant Guest Online Registration Form, but the expense will be at their own
cost. Please be advised that there are limited rooms priced at CEF’s discounted rate ($155 per
night, plus tax) and these will be reserved for registered guests on a first-come, first-serve
basis.

2. Any guests who book a hotel room via CEF’s online registration will receive a hotel
confirmation email from the CEF staff on Tuesday, June 7. The hotel confirmation email will
include your confirmation number and important information regarding your stay.

 Provided Meals:
1. CEF will provide the following meals for each registered guest as selected in the Participant
Guest online registration form:
 Dinner on Saturday, June 18
 Breakfast, lunch, and dinner on Monday, June 20
 Breakfast on Tuesday, June 21

Food Allergy Information

CEF makes every attempt to require its caterers to identify ingredients that may cause allergic reactions for
those with food allergies. CEF requests that its catering vendors label items with possible allergen-containing
ingredients. However, there is always a risk of contamination. In addition, the potential does exist that food
manufacturers used by CEF caterers may change their formulation or manner of processing without the
caterer’s knowledge. Consequently, CEF does not guarantee the accuracy of nutrition information or food
labeling provided by CEF’s catering vendor. CEF event attendees concerned with food allergies need to be
aware of this risk, and may consider bringing their prepared food to the event. CEF will not assume any liability
for adverse reactions to foods consumed, or items one may come in contact with while eating at any CEF
event.

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Schedule of Events
This schedule of events is tentative. Participants and chaperones are expected to attend all events. Please
notify the CEF staff immediately if you are unable to attend an event.

Saturday, June 18, 2016

5 – 7:30 pm Welcome Dinner & Check-in

Participants, chaperones, and registered guests must check in with the CEF
staff to receive their welcome packet and other important information.
Participants, chaperones, and registered guests will be provided with dinner.
You must arrive no later than 6:30 p.m.

Hilton Philadelphia at Penn’s Landing

Room: Columbus Ballroom
Floor: Second Floor
201 S Christopher Columbus Blvd.
Philadelphia, PA 19106

Sunday, June 19, 2016

8 – 10:30 am Participant & Chaperone Breakfast

Participants and chaperones must arrive no later than 9:30 a.m. for
breakfast. After breakfast, participants will receive their National Challenge
polo and have their headshot taken. Breakfast is for participants and
designated chaperones ONLY.

Hilton Philadelphia at Penn’s Landing

Room: Grand Ballroom (B, C, & D)
Floor: Second Floor

12:30 – 3 pm National Challenge Kick-off Lunch & Games

Participants and chaperones will be provided lunch while the CEF staff review
the National Challenge schedule and other important event information.
Following lunch, participants will participate in games to get to know their
fellow participants and engage with hands-on chemistry activities. Lunch is
for participants and designated chaperones ONLY.

Hilton Philadelphia at Penn’s Landing

Room: Grand Ballroom (B, C, & D)
Floor: Second Floor
3:30 pm Participant & Chaperone Bus Departure
Participants and chaperones (ONLY) will meet in the lobby to load buses for
Competition Rehearsal at The Kimmel Center. Please arrive 15 minutes
before departure.

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 3:45 pm National Challenge Competition Rehearsal
Participants and chaperones only will attend competition rehearsal during
which the CEF staff will review the competition format, staging, and other
components.

The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts

260 South Broad Street
Avenue of the Arts
Philadelphia, PA 19102

5:00 pm Participants & Chaperones Return to the Hotel.

Participants and chaperones will be bused back to the Hilton.

5:30 pm – Evening Independent Dinner at Local Restaurants

Participants and chaperones will be provided with gift cards to a local
restaurant of their choosing (as selected in the online registration form) to
have dinner on their own. All restaurant options are within walking distance
of the hotel.

Monday, June 20, 2016

8:45 am Participant & Chaperone Bus Departure

Participants and chaperones only will meet in the lobby to load buses for
the National Challenge Competition at The Kimmel Center. Please arrive 15
minutes before departure.

9:20 – 10:30 am Participant & Chaperone Breakfast at The Kimmel Center.

Participants and chaperones only will be provided with breakfast at The
Kimmel Center.

8:30 – 9:45 am Breakfast at the Hilton

Participant guests will be served breakfast at the hotel prior to departing for
The Kimmel Center for the Challenge competition.

Hilton Philadelphia at Penn’s Landing

Room: Grand Ballroom
Floor: Second Floor

10:00 am Guest Bus Departure for Kimmel Center

Participant guests will meet in the lobby to load buses for the National
Challenge Competition at The Kimmel Center. Please arrive 15 minutes
before departure.

Buses will not wait for late attendees. Buses will leave promptly at 10:00
am.

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 10:30 am Doors Open to the Perelman Theater for the National Challenge
competition

11:00 am National Challenge Competition Begins

Opening Remarks and Preliminary Rounds 1-4

12:45 – 1:45 pm* Lunch Served at The Kimmel Center

1:45 pm* Competition Resumes

(Finals Rounds 1-3)
2:40 – 3:15 pm* Snack Break

3:15 pm* Competition Resumes

(Quarter-final, Semi-final, and Championship Rounds)
Immediately following the conclusion of the competition, various prizes will
be awarded and photos will be taken.

5:15 pm Buses Depart for the National Constitution Center

5:30 – 8:00 pm National Challenge Reception, Dinner & Award Ceremony

Compliments of the National Challenge Platinum Sponsors, all attendees will
enjoy a reception with beverages and hors d’oeuvres. The reception will be
followed by dinner and the award ceremony.

National Constitution Center

525 Arch Street
Independence Mall
Philadelphia, PA 19106

8:00 pm Bus Departure

Buses will take participants, chaperones, and participant guests to the
Hilton.

*Please note: All times after the 11:00 am start of the competition are subject to change based on the length
of the competition rounds and may be adjusted by CEF. All attendees and participants will be notified of any
changes.

Tuesday, June 21, 2016

8:30 – 10 am Farewell Breakfast

Participants, chaperones, and participant guests will be provided breakfast.
Please be sure to arrive no later than 9:00 am. During breakfast travel
reimbursements will be distributed.

Hilton Philadelphia at Penn’s Landing

Room: Grand Ballroom
Floor: Second Floor

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Dress Code
 Badges- ALL EVENTS
o All participants, chaperones and registered guests will receive a badge at check-in on
Saturday, June 18 and must wear this badge at all National Challenge events.

 Saturday, June 18
o Dress is casual – jeans/shorts/ and t-shirts are acceptable.

 Sunday, June 19
o Participants
 Participants should wear the National Challenge t-shirt they will receive at the CEF
check-in on Saturday.
o Chaperones & participant guests
 Dress is casual– jeans/shorts/t-shirts are acceptable.

 Monday, June 20
o Participants
 Participants must wear the National Challenge polo they receive at breakfast on
Sunday and dress pants, khakis, skirt (of an appropriate length), dress shoes, or dress
sandals.
 Inappropriate attire: jeans/cargo pants/ leggings/loungewear/or flip flops.

o Chaperones & participant guests - dress is business casual

 Ladies: dress slacks, khakis, dresses and skirts (of an appropriate length), blouses,
collared shirts, and dress shoes/dress sandals.
 Gentlemen: dress slacks/ khakis/polo shirts/collared dress shirts/ and dress shoes
(jacket is optional).
 Inappropriate attire: jeans, cargo pants/ leggings/ loungewear/ t-shirts, tank tops or
tube tops/ and flip flops.

o Celebration Dinner & Award Ceremony is also business casual

 Participants must remain in their National Challenge participant polos.

 Tuesday, June 21
o Dress is casual – jeans/ shorts/and t-shirts are acceptable.

If you have questions about proper attire, please contact Avery.

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Contact Information
The following is a list of important contact information. We recommend that participants and chaperones
keep a copy of this information with them.

Hotel Hilton Philadelphia at Penn's Landing

201 S Christopher Columbus Blvd
Philadelphia, PA 19106
(P) 215-521-6500
http://www3.hilton.com/en/hotels/pennsylvania/hilton-
philadelphia-at-penns-landing-PHLPNHH/index.html

Rehearsal & The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts

Competition 260 South Broad Street
Avenue of the Arts
Philadelphia, PA 19102
www.kimmelcenter.org/

Celebration Dinner & National Constitution Center

Award Ceremony 525 Arch Street
Independence Mall
Philadelphia, PA 19106
www.constitutioncenter.org

Philadelphia 8000 Essington Avenue

International Philadelphia, PA 19153
Airport www.phl.org

CEF Headquarters 1560 Wilson Boulevard

Suite 1100
Arlington, VA 22209
(P) 703-527-6223
www.chemed.org

CEF Staff Suzette Bucher

Senior Manager, Outreach
Cell: 410-482-2021

Avery Keese
Coordinator, Outreach
Cell: 704-737-4678
Office: 571-482-3071

Ariel Simons
Coordinator, Program Development
Cell: 914-486-0098
Office: 571-482-3071

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