Community Participation
We want to share our enthusiasm for chemistry with everyone in our community. Collaborations can range from Cub Scout tours to school field trips to attendance at our community events. Let us know how you would like to work together!
Past Community Events:
- American Wizard Demo Competition
Friday April 16, 2010, 6 - 8 PM, 117 Osmond
The Penn State Chemical Education Interest Group is happy to announce the 4th Annual “American Wizard” competition. The format for the contest is similar to that of “American Idol” and “So You Think You Can Dance”. This year we have emeritus chemistry faculty members Dr. John Lowe, Dr. Roy Olofson, Dr. Peter Jurs, and Dr. Bob Minard as members of our esteemed American Wizard Panel. The panel critiques the performance of each aspiring wizard, and YOU (in the audience) vote for your favorite presentation. The contestant with the highest combined ranking wins the title of “American Wizard” for the next academic year along with a fabulous prize! The public is welcome!
- Science Exploration Day, Bryce Jordan Center
Saturday, April 17, 2010, 10 AM - 3 PM
Exploration Day is a celebration of the spirit and opportunity and Science at Penn State. This interactive science event brings together many families and members of the Penn State community. Come and explore science with us! Visit the website above for more details.
- Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts Children’s Day
Outreach
Wednesday, July 7, 2010, 8 AM - 4 PM
Arts Fest is a State College tradition, as is Children and Youth Day at Arts Fest. The chemistry department and Materials Research Science and Engineering Center (MRSEC) always set up a tent full of interactive science activities designed for children. Past activities have included liquid nitrogen ice cream, acid-base indicator paper, density predictions, and polymer explorations. Please stop by next year and have fun with science!
Upcoming Community Events:
- Science U Summer Science Camps for children
Join us for a Science - U summer camp for students entering grades 2-12. Our chemistry camps involve marvelous molecules or wizard potions, but other camps include myth versus science, crime scene investigation, food science, robots, ecology, astronomy, physics, and even the stock market. Visit the Science U website or email Science-U Director Michael Zeman at mjz120@psu.edu for more information.
Activities that we can Arrange upon Request:
Scout Activities
Girl Scout, Boy Scout and Cub Scout Groups can fulfill some of their advancement requirements by arranging an chemistry adventure either on campus or at the group's meeting place.
School or Group Field Trips on Campus
School Groups or other groups can arrange to come to campus for interactive chemistry experiments and tours of the campus.
Presentations at your Location
We can arrange to have someone come to your group's location and bring chemistry activities.
