From: Nicole Domingues
Sent: Wednesday, December 3, 2025 10:28 AM
Subject: Updates, Training Invitation & SPARK Kit Guidance

Dear Challenge Team Coordinators-

We hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving and are easing back into the season as we head toward the end of the year. We also want to say congratulations to Pradeep B, the winner of our $50 gift card registration incentive!

Below are a few reminders that we wanted to ensure you had on your radar:

Final Training Session for 2025 – December 17th at 4 PM EST

 You’re invited to our final Team Coordinator Training of the year. This live Q&A session is designed to help answer any outstanding questions as you prepare your teams for the Challenge.

Looking ahead, we’ll also be hosting additional training sessions in 2026 to support Regional Challenge preparation, both in-person and virtual, as well as Video Submission guidance. These sessions will offer tips, resources, and best practices to set your team up for success.

SPARK Kit – A Key Resource for Preparation

The SPARK Kit is a comprehensive preparation resource that helps teams practice Challenge-style questions and simulate the overall experience. You were given access to the full SPARK Kit in your registration confirmation email, and we encourage you to make the most of these materials as your team prepares. The kit includes practice questions, answer sheets, and a slide deck that allows you to run a mock Challenge. The electronic answer sheets provide instant scoring, giving you quick insight into how your team is performing.

While the materials should remain confidential and not be shared directly with students, they offer an excellent way for you to evaluate teamwork, identify areas for improvement, and build familiarity with the Challenge format. The SPARK Kit can also support decision-making if venue capacity limits require selecting which teams will attend an in-person Regional Challenge. Overall, it’s a powerful tool to guide your team’s preparation and strengthen their readiness for competition.

Registration Closes December 19th

If you have colleagues or friends still hoping to join, please share that 2.5 weeks remain in registration. Any team registered by the deadline will be entered into a $25 gift card drawing.

Thank you for all the incredible work you’ve done so far. We look forward to seeing you on December 17th!

Kind regards,

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From: Nicole Domingues
Sent: Tuesday, November 25, 2025 1:29 PM
Subject: Resources and Training Recording

Hi Team Coordinators,

With Thanksgiving upon us, all of us at CEF want to share how truly thankful we are for your commitment to creating exciting futures in STEM. Your leadership continues to make the You Be The Solution Challenge possible, and we’re grateful for everything you do to inspire students.

Below is the recording from last week’s training, along with the resources we reviewed to support you throughout the Challenge:

Thank you again for your time, enthusiasm, and dedication. We wish you a warm and restful Thanksgiving!

Kind regards,

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From: Nicole Domingues
Sent: Wednesday, November 19, 2025 9:47 AM
Subject: RE: Join Us for Team Coordinator Training – November 19 at 4 PM EST

Hi Team Coordinators,

This is a quick reminder that our November Team Coordinator Training is happening today at 4 PM EST. If you’re unable to attend, no worries—we will share the recording link afterward so you can review it at your convenience.

We look forward to having you join us!

Kind regards,

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

From: Nicole Domingues
Sent: Wednesday, November 5, 2025 2:52 PM
Subject: Join Us for Team Coordinator Training – November 19 at 4 PM EST

Dear Challenge Team Coordinators,

We’re excited to announce our upcoming Team Coordinator Training on November 19 at 4 PM EST! This session will cover everything you need to guide your team successfully through the Regional Challenge.

During the training, we’ll explore:

  • Resource Navigation: Where to find essential materials.
  • Regional Challenge Prep: Key steps to get your team ready.
  • SPARK Kit Review: An overview of this year’s kit.
  • Submission Requirements: A checklist of forms and paperwork for your Team Submission.

🎉 Congratulations to Katie H., our October Registration Initiative Gift Card winner! Our November incentive is a $50 gift card, so keep spreading the word. Encourage your coworkers, neighbors, and friends to join the fun and register their teams.

We look forward to seeing you at the training!

Kind regards,

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

From: Nicole Domingues
Sent: Wednesday, October 29, 2025 1:12 PM
Subject: Tips to Help You Customize Your Challenge Experience

Hi Challenge Team Coordinators,

We’re excited to see your team’s participation in this year’s You Be The Solution Challenge!

To help you tailor the Challenge to your students’ needs, here are a few tips for customizing your planning resources:

  1. Recruit More Students
    1. Create a Digital Form: Use a tool like Microsoft Forms or Google Forms to collect student information easily.
    2. Expand Your Reach: Share this form with other teachers, grade levels, or through school announcements to encourage wider participation.
    3. Include in Available Resources: Add the form to your Recruitment PowerPoint or classroom poster so others can help promote your team.
  2. Customize the Challenge Planning Calendar
    1. Account for School Holidays: Adjust the calendar to align with your school’s schedule and breaks.
    2. Plan After-School Sessions: Include any after-school or weekend prep sessions that work best for your students.
    3. Modify Study Topics and Timelines: The recommended study and video preparation timelines are duplicated in several places within our resources, giving you flexibility to adjust them no matter when you enter the Challenge cycle. This ensures your team can stay on track and make steady progress at a pace that fits your schedule.

By personalizing these resources, you can create a more engaging and effective Challenge experience for your students.

Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or need additional support—we’re here to help every step of the way.

Best of luck to your team! We can’t wait to see your success!

Kind regards,

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

From: Nicole Domingues
Sent: Wednesday, October 22, 2025 1:25 PM
Subject: Training Resources & How to Get Extra Support

Hello, Challenge Team Coordinators-

Thank you to everyone who was able to attend last week’s Team Coordinator Training! Here is a link to the recording for anyone who couldn’t join live or would like to review it: https://youtu.be/tOwT_Gk5IHA

We also want to highlight an easy way to get extra help as you prepare your students for the CEF You Be The Solution Challenge™.

The Parent Partnership Initiative:

We know you already have a lot on your plate. This initiative is designed to make Challenge preparation easier by bringing parents on board in simple, meaningful ways:

Level 1: Stay Informed
Keep parents in the loop through quick updates in newsletters, emails, or announcements. Even small reminders can help families encourage their students at home.

 Level 2: Get Involved
Ask parents to help their child review Challenge materials or organize small study sessions. Many are eager to help — they just need to know how!

 Level 3: Lend Their Expertise
If parents have a background in science, education, or teamwork, they can run short practice sessions, create fun review games, or offer mentoring. This can take a huge load off while giving students valuable support.

By inviting parents to get involved, you can share the workload, keep students motivated, and make Challenge prep more collaborative and fun.

Please note: No matter how many supporters you have, you will be the only Team Coordinator covered for our National Finalist travel and accommodations should your team advance to Nationals.

As always, please reach out if you have any questions or need additional support—we’re here to help every step of the way!

Kind regards,

Nicole Domingues

  • Don’t forget to check out the many helpful tools on the Team Coordinator Page and be sure to use your SPARK Kit and Interactive Study Modules, which were emailed to you after registration!

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From: Nicole Domingues <NDomingues@CEFinSTEM.org>
Sent: Friday, October 17, 2025 2:06 PM
Subject: RE: Don’t Miss Our First Team Coordinator Training – October 15

Happy Friday, Challenge Team Coordinators,

Thank you to everyone who was able to attend our first Team Coordinator Training on Friday. We loved connecting with you and sharing helpful tips for a successful Challenge season!

If you weren’t able to join us, you can view the recording here: https://youtu.be/tOwT_Gk5IHA

And don’t forget, if you have not registered yet, be sure to register your team by October 31st to be entered into our $75 gift card drawing! We can’t wait to see your teams in action this season.

Have a fantastic weekend!

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From: Nicole Domingues
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2025 2:19 PM
Subject: RE: Don’t Miss Our First Team Coordinator Training – October 15

Hi Challenge Team Coordinators,

This is your final reminder to join us for the first Team Coordinator Training on Wednesday, October 15 at 4 PM EST!

CLICK HERE TO JOIN THE ZOOM OR OPEN THE CALENDAR ATTACHMENT ABOVE

Can’t join us live? No problem! We’ll send out a recording of the training afterward so you won’t miss a thing.

We’re excited to kick off the season and share everything you need to guide your students through this year’s Challenge, including an overview of the Challenge structure, helpful resources, and expert tips to help your team shine.

👉 If you haven’t registered yet, there’s still time to sign up and be part of this year’s Challenge! Don’t miss out on key updates and training opportunities.

We can’t wait to see you Wednesday and start another inspiring year of Creating Exciting Futures in STEM!

Kind regards,

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

From: Nicole Domingues
Sent: Wednesday, October 8, 2025 9:08 AM
Subject: Don’t Miss Our First Team Coordinator Training – October 15

Hi Challenge Team Coordinators,

Thank you to everyone who has already registered for this year’s CEF You Be The Solution Challenge™! We’re thrilled to have you on board and can’t wait to see the amazing ideas your students will bring to life.

👉 If you haven’t registered yet, there’s still time! Be sure to register soon so you don’t miss out on important updates and training opportunities.

Our first Team Coordinator Training will take place on Wednesday, October 15 at 4 PM EST. We hope you can join us to learn more about this year’s Challenge structure, explore resources, and hear expert tips to help your team succeed this season.

We can’t wait to kick off another inspiring year together Creating Exciting Futures in STEM!

Kind regards,

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

From: Nicole Domingues <Challenge@CEFinSTEM.org>
Sent: Friday, October 3, 2025 1:05 PM
Subject: RE: Early Access Expires Soon!

Happy Friday Team Coordinators!

If you didn’t receive early access, don’t worry — all Challenge materials are now available on our Team Coordinator website!

With registration officially open, we have tons of great resources ready to help you launch your Challenge journey. But remember — the best tools are unlocked after you register. Once you sign up, you’ll gain access to:

  • Interactive study materials
  • The SPARK Kit
  • Exclusive support emails from our Program Team

👉 Register today: https://bit.ly/YBTSReg

We can’t wait to have you on board and are looking forward to another incredible Challenge season!

Kind regards,

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

From: Nicole Domingues <ndomingues@chemed.org>
Sent: Monday, September 22, 2025 11:52 AM
Subject: Early Access Expires Soon!
Importance: High

Hello, You Be The Solution Challenge Team Coordinators,

2 REMINDERS:

  1. Please update my email in your contacts to my new email address (NDomingues@CEFinSTEM.org)
  2. Two days to go till the limited time early access opportunity expires on September 24!

As a returning Team Coordinator, you can get access to this year’s Challenge Theme, Official Rules, and Study Guide. All you need to do is help us spread the word on social media!

Here’s how:

  1. Go to your preferred social media platform (or you can post to all of them).
  2. Copy and paste the provided caption below for that platform plus the graphic.
  3. Be sure to tag CEF so we can see your post and send your early access materials straight to your inbox!

Share on Facebook/Instagram/LinkedIn:
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Did you know STEM careers are projected to lead the future workforce? But for our students to become the innovators and leaders of tomorrow, they need opportunities today to thrive and succeed!

That’s why I’m excited to join the #YouBeTheSolutionChallenge with my students!

This FREE National STEM Competition is a powerful opportunity for young minds to engage in real-world problem-solving, collaboration, and creative thinking—all while strengthening essential STEM skills.

Don’t let your students miss out on this amazing and unique experience. Get them involved in the #YouBeTheSolutionChallenge and empower them to shape the future—starting now!

Follow @CEFinSTEM to stay up to date with the Challenge!

#CEFinSTEM #YouBeTheSolutionChallenge #STEM #Science #Students #Education #Success #Teachers #Sustainability #Entrepreneurship

#Innovation #FutureofSTEM #STEMCareers
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Graphic:

You can use the following graphic to go along with your post:
Don’t miss out! Get a head start on this year’s Challenge!

We are here to support you every step of the way. If you have any questions, please send us an email at Challenge@CEFinSTEM.org.

Sincerely,

The Challenge Team

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