Chemistry magic shows, hands-on experiments part of local National Chemistry Week events
Thursday, Oct. 16, 2014
MANHATTAN — National Chemistry Week, a week focused on how chemistry supports everyone and contributes to quality of life and the nation's economy, is Oct. 19-25. Kansas State University has several events planned to observe the week.
National Chemistry Week is an annual outreach program that is hosted in Manhattan by the local section of the American Chemical Society, the world's largest scientific society.
A wide range of activities will be conducted locally, including many hands-on science experiments designed for children, supervised by chemists with safety and learning as top priorities. Activities include a public event at the Manhattan Town Center from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 18, and a chemistry book display at the Manhattan Public Library that will be available during the entire week.
Activities at the Manhattan Town Center will include chemistry magic shows by Alpha Chi Sigma, the professional chemistry fraternity, at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Also offered will be hands-on children's activities such as making slime and chemistry tattoos. The American Chemical Society will give away chemistry-related items and free helium balloons to the general public.
"Chemistry education and chemical research are vitally important to our nation's economy and to the health and well-being of all of us," said Yasmin Patell, assistant teaching scholar in the chemistry department at Kansas State University. "It is always incredibly satisfying when we can share our enthusiasm for chemistry with the general public during National Chemistry Week."
Chemistry undergraduate and graduate students from the university will visit area high schools to host National Chemistry Week events as well.
The American Chemical Society has a membership of 154,000 chemists and chemical engineers. It is a nonprofit organization charted by the U.S. Congress to help foster the public welfare and education and add to the material prosperity and happiness of the people. The society publishes scientific journals and databases, sponsors major research conferences, and provides numerous resource materials for chemistry teachers and students.
