Hundreds of fifth and sixth grade students from west Michigan will learn chemistry in a slightly different way this week--through a series of highly visual chemical demonstrations.
Beginning, Tuesday, May 15, 2,500 students from 35 different local schools will participate in Calvin College's chemistry demonstration program. The "chem demos" were designed to help younger students get excited about chemistry through engaging the students in several chemical experiments and then explaining the science behind the demonstrations at a level that upper elementary students understand.
Some past participants in the program reflect on their experiences:
"My friends and I had a great time with the exploding balloons, glowing tubes and fire."
"I really liked it when you set the rag and methane bubbles on fire. That was the best field trip of the year!"
"I'm really into chemistry now!"
Chemistry department chair Larry Louters leads eight sessions of the 75-minute program, which is free and open to all local school groups and the home school community. The sessions are held in the college's Gezon Auditorium (adjacent to the Spoelhof Center).
In addition to the chem demos, the chemistry department also offers week-long summer chemistry camps for sixth, seventh and eighth graders during the month of July (including a girls only camp).
For a complete schedule of chem demos and chemistry camps, visit http://www.calvin.edu/academic/chemistry/outreach/
Contact Judi Jongekrijg at 616-526-8801 or jaj25@calvin.edu
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Received on Tue May 15 10:07:53 2012
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