Students from all over the United States are heading to the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts in Philadelphia, Pa., on June 24, 2013, to see if they can earn the title of champion during the national You Be The Chemist Challenge® (Challenge) – a question-and-answer academic competition for students in grades 5-8. The Dow Chemical Company (NYSE: DOW) is a premier sponsor of the Challenge, a program of the Chemical Educational Foundation (CEF).

The Challenge engages thousands of middle school students in learning chemistry concepts and chemical safety awareness. It also serves as a way for the chemical industry to bring science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) opportunities to schools and organizations in the community.

“As a Diamond Sponsor of You Be The Chemist (YBTC) programs, Dow understands the pivotal role that science education plays in the future of the United States chemical industry,” said Rob Vallentine, director of STEM Education for Dow. “Through its commitment to supporting programs like YBTC, Dow aims to enhance learning for our nation’s youth, open students’ eyes to the possibilities of science, and enable students to realize their potential as the leaders of tomorrow,” he added.

The national Challenge is the culmination of smaller local and state Challenges held nationwide throughout the school year. Twenty-seven students, one from each participating state and the District of Columbia, earned the right to advance to the national competition. Dow also sponsored local and state competitions in Delaware, Indiana, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Texas. The top four participants will receive scholarships for future educational use.

For more information about Dow’s commitment to education go to www.dow.com/education or visit www.chemed.org/ybtc for details about the challenge.

About Dow
Dow (NYSE: DOW) combines the power of science and technology to passionately innovate what is essential to human progress. The Company connects chemistry and innovation with the principles of sustainability to help address many of the world's most challenging problems such as the need for clean water, renewable energy generation and conservation, and increasing agricultural productivity. Dow's diversified industry-leading portfolio of specialty chemical, advanced materials, agrosciences and plastics businesses delivers a broad range of technology-based products and solutions to customers in approximately 160 countries and in high growth sectors such as electronics, water, energy, coatings and agriculture. In 2012, Dow had annual sales of approximately $57 billion and employed approximately 54,000 people worldwide. The Company's more than 5,000 products are manufactured at 188 sites in 36 countries across the globe. References to "Dow" or the "Company" mean The Dow Chemical Company and its consolidated subsidiaries unless otherwise expressly noted. More information about Dow can be found at www.dow.com.

OLD - Dow Chemical Company

OLD - Dow Chemical Company

With annual sales of $54 billion and 46,000 employees worldwide, Dow is a diversified chemical company that combines the power of science and technology with the "Human Element" to constantly improve what is essential to human progress. The Company delivers a broad range of products and services to customers in around 160 countries, connecting chemistry and innovation with the principles of sustainability to help provide everything from fresh water, food and pharmaceuticals to paints, packaging and personal care products. References to "Dow" or the "Company" mean The Dow Chemical Company and its consolidated subsidiaries unless otherwise expressly noted.