COOKEVILLE – All the elements are in place at Tennessee Tech for a fun and informative National Chemistry Week.
Sponsored by the Student Members of the American Chemical Society, National Chemistry Week will be held on Tech’s campus Monday, Oct. 20 through Saturday, Oct. 26.
“We always look forward to National Chemistry Week every year,” said Amanda Carroll, a lecturer in the chemistry department and faculty advisor for SMACS. “We have a week full of events that is open to the Tech campus and to the community.”
The week begins on Monday with a Marvelous Metals event in the Tech Pride Room of the RUC from 5–8 p.m. The event is free, open for kids of all ages to learn about the chemistry of metals through hands-on demonstrations and activities. Children will be able to make some metals-related crafts, including magnetic slime and making a battery. Other activities include removing iron from breakfast cereal, making ink, melting gallium in your hand and learning about ferrofluids.
“We really try to make a push for National Chemistry Week because we want to show how chemistry impacts everybody’s lives,” said Carroll. “People tend to think chemistry is scary or it’s really hard and it doesn’t pertain to them because it’s something learned in a classroom. In reality, chemistry touches every aspect of your everyday life.”
On Tuesday from 5:45-7 p.m., there will be a Marvelous Metals webinar in Foster Hall 233.
This event is co-sponsored by SMACS and the Nashville Local Section of the American Chemical Society and will display how chemists are developing new technologies using metals at the intersection of organic and inorganic chemistry. From innovations in medical imaging and theranostics to fundamental changes to the way everyday necessities are created like clothing, food, and energy, these scientists will demonstrate how to harness the power of “marvelous metals.”
After the Mole Day Race at Tucker Stadium on Wednesday from 5-7 p.m., the annual bake sale will be held on Thursday in front of the Volpe Library.
“I like the bake sale the best,” said Abby Rossi, a biochemistry major from Murfreesboro, who is also the president of SMACS. “I like to see the periodic table of cupcakes and I like to see people’s faces when they get a baked good. All of the money we raise at this year’s bake sale will go to Gordonsville High School’s chemistry club.”
Also on Thursday, the Green Chemistry Lecture will be held from 6-7 p.m. in Foster Hall 233. A student will introduce what Green Chemistry is and how it differs from environmental chemistry. The history and the 12 principles of Green Chemistry will be covered, as well as examples of how Green Chemistry is used to improve current chemical practices and industry.
On Friday, there will be a game night from 5-7 p.m. in Foster 408, and the week concludes with the annual Golden Helix 5k race on Saturday.
“It is very busy, but it’s also really fun,” said Rossi about National Chemistry Week. “It’s a great way for a lot of the new students and freshmen to get involved in the chemistry department.”
For more information about Tech’s chemistry department, go to https://www.tntech.edu/cas/chemistry/index.php.
