The annual DeSales University Chemistry Demonstrations Program, now in its ninth year, continues to inspire area elementary, middle and high school students, thanks to the enthusiasm and love of science of faculty members and students in the natural science department.
As part of the 2009 – 2010 Chemistry Demonstrations Program, DeSales faculty and students combine chemical concepts with humor and music to present over a dozen highly visual and entertaining experiments that are a treat for all the senses.
The names of the experiments are as colorful as the demonstrations. They include: An Eggcellent Eggsplosion, Highway to the Dangerzone, Cooking with Chemists, Transformers 2, Harry Potter, We Didn’t Start the Fire, and White as Snow. The daytime performances will run through the middle of November during the fall 2009 semester, with additional performances scheduled for the spring 2010 semester.
The primary purpose of the Chemistry Demonstrations Program is to provide elementary, middle school, and high school students with the opportunity to increase their appreciation of the importance of science and, in particular, to enrich their understanding of chemical science.
This year so far, more than 800 high school and middle school students have attended the demonstration programs. By the end of the 2009 – 2010 academic year, the annual program, now in its ninth year, will have been seen by approximately 2000 people. In addition to the daytime performances, an evening event open to the general public is held once a semester.
During the fall semester, students attending the performances are from Northeast Middle School, Lansdale Catholic High School, MacKinnon Middle School, Daniel Boone High School, Catasauqua High School, Sts. Peter and Paul School, Parkland High School, Whitehall High School Belvedere High School and Mary Mother of the Redeemer School.
Dr. Rodger Berg, associate professor and coordinator of chemistry and chairperson of DeSales University’s Natural Science Department, directs the Chemistry Demonstrations Program. Also participating in the program are Dr. Francis Mayville, associate professor of chemistry, and Mrs. Patricia Hartman, chemistry laboratory manager.
Students taking part in the ninth annual Chemistry Demonstrations Program include:
Julianne Berger, senior chemistry major from Scotch Plains, N.J.; Michael Caffarelli, senior chemistry major from Port Reading, N.J.; Caitrin Dougherty, junior majoring in chemistry and biology from Bloomsburg, Pa.; Bonnie Elspass, senior chemistry and secondary education major from Phillipsburg, N.J.; Katelynn Henrich, sophomore chemistry major with a forensic concentration from Moscow, Pa., and Ryan Ludwig, senior chemistry major from Reading, Pa.
Also, James Nall, senior chemistry major from Emmaus, Pa.; Courtney Peck, sophomore physician assistant major from Mt. Pleasant, Pa.; Allison Sturm, senior biochemistry major from Bethlehem, Pa.; Jonathan Vecchiet, senior biochemistry major from Center Valley, Pa.; Steve Cougan, junior biochemistry major from Hamilton, N.J.; Jonathan Fura, senior biochemistry major from Mohnton, Pa., and Jason Zuber, senior chemistry major from Macungie, Pa.
Press Release: DeSales Chemistry Demonstrations Program Sells Area Students On Science | Posted on: 11/16/2009
For more info:
Tom McNamara, Executive Director of Communications
DeSales University | 2255 Station Avenue | Center Valley, PA 18034
610.282.1100 x1219 | Tom.McNamara@desales.edu