Jim Pennington, the Chemistry Road Show coordinator, knew exactly how to get the undivided attention of every child at the Westside Community Center on Saturday afternoon with fire, explosions and crazy chemical reactions. Texas A&M University sponsored a free Chemistry Road Show for the enjoyment of both children and adults on Saturday at the Westside Community Center in New Braunfels. The event, which began at 1 p.m., was taught by Jim Pennington, an instructional assistant professor and research associate at Texas A&M and the Chemistry Road Show coordinator. Pennington, who said they put on about 60 to 70 Chemistry Road Show presentations every year around the state of Texas, encouraged the 100 or so children who attended to enjoy the show and ask questions during the event. A lot of people call these a chemical magic show, Pennington said, while putting on a wizard hat. Im going to try and show some of that today but also try and explain most of the reactions I do. I want yall to ask me questions though and participate, even though you cant really get hands-on. During the presentation, the professor created various chemical reactions using dry ice, carbon dioxide, fire, liquid nitrogen … Continue reading →

By Ashley Gebb agebb@chicoer.com @ashleygebb on Twitter CHICO >> Perhaps it's the opportunity to work on complex machinery worth hundreds of thousands of dollars. Maybe it's cool factor of long white lab coats embroidered with their names and "CSRI" Chemistry Summer Research Institute. But more likely is the fact it's the summer education of a lifetime that spurred three Chico high schoolers and 10 Chico State University students to take advantage of a 10-week program where they try to solve real-world problems with applied science. "It's a lot of fun," said Hanne Henriksen, a Pleasant Valley High senior. "It's research and we don't know what's to come of it. It's not like pass or fail, you did it or you didn't. It's learning new things every day." The projects are varied, depending on interests of the overseeing faculty. One group is developing a more environmentally friendly reaction for pharmaceutical compounds while one makes plastic bags from sugar beets and another develops a process for inhibiting a protein often found in cancer. For Trevor Trombley, a senior at Chico High School, the summer program taps into his passion for chemistry. "I like how it's structured and follows a set of rules," … Continue reading →

SOUTH BEND Elkhart elementary students experimented with chemistry with Saint Marys College chemistry and education students recently, making a thick slime they could take home to play with. Our goal this year is to get these young kids interested in continuing in science, said Dara Marquez, 21, a rising senior at Saint Marys. Marquez is a chemistry major and is part of a summer research program called the Saint Marys Affiliates of the American Chemical Society, or SMAACS, in the chemistry department. It gives us the ability to promote science. An online service is needed to view this article in its entirety. You need an online service to view this article in its entirety. Or, use your facebook account: Subscribe to the South Bend Tribune for only $20 per 4 weeks. Try out SouthBendTribune.com for free for 30 days. After 30 days, your credit card will be billed for $12.80 every 4 weeks with EZPay. Introductory offer only. Get unlimited access to SouthBendTribune.com content for one full day with our One-Day Digital Access pass. Get instant access for one full day (24 hours) without a digital access subscription or a home delivery subscription. Individuals who have a print subscription of … Continue reading →