Gary Weibel of Lamar School was selected as the Mississippi State Challenge champion in the You Be The Chemist Challenge® held at Meridian Community College Friday.

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.

After several rounds of questions, Weibel emerged as the winner of this event. Other winners were Salma Meloelain (Lamar School), second; Jonathan Shelton (Union), third; and Will Mungas (West Lauderdale Middle School), fourth.

This marked the third year for MCC’s Division of Science and Wellness to host the only Challenge in Mississippi. Judges included MCC alumni, Jaricus Whitlock, a chemical engineer, and Darrell Thompson, polymer chemist; and retired MCC science instructor Linda Barham.

The Meridian Challenge was done in a quiz-bowl format with several rounds of multiple-choice questions. A wide variety of science questions were displayed on a screen for the students to answer from their tables. They used an electronic remote device to answer the timed questions.

Forty-eight students vied for the top award – the opportunity to travel to Washington D.C., to compete in the National Challenge in June.