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"I LOVE
chemistry," said Zach from Dutch Neck Elementary School in
West Windsor. "I couldn't believe some of the things you did,"
said Jared. "The experiments you showed us were spectacular,"
said Pia. These enthusiastic comments summed up the resounding approval
of youngsters following a visit by MCCC science students and faculty
during National Chemistry Week, Oct. 20-24.
According to
MCCC Associate Chemistry Professor Helen Tanzini, thrilling children
with the wonders of science is the goal of the visits she and her
students make each year with the support of the Trenton Section
of the American Chemical Society. "We create magic moments
through basic chemistry experiments," Tanzini said.
More than 20
students from Mercer and several from Rider University were involved
in preparing and presenting experiments to a total of 550 youngsters
at five area elementary schools, which included Washington Elementary
and Franklin Elementary in Trenton, Robinson Elementary in Hamilton,
John Witherspoon School in Princeton and Dutch Neck School in West
Windsor. In
addition to Tanzini, other faculty volunteers from Mercer were Angela
Treannie, Bruce Chorba, Linda Falkow, MaryAnn Norcross and Catherine
Robbins, as well as Rider University's Danielle Jacobs and Bruce
Burnham.
This year's theme, "Having a Ball with Chemistry," was
inspired by the Olympics. Among the experiments were the production
of fake snow using polyacrylate; a "Milk of Magnesia"
demonstration illustrating chromatography; and the ever-popular
making of "glitter slime," composed of polyvinylalcohol
and Borax, that the children could take home as a souvenir. The
children also received a magazine from the American Chemical Society
and a booklet of science activities that they could do on their
own.
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MCCC
presenters at the Dutch Neck School included,
back row from left, student Kelly Moore, faculty member Helen Tanzini,
and student Andrew Kotula; front row,
faculty member Catherine Robbins, alumnus
Luis Reyes, faculty member MaryAnn Norcross
and student Ozcan Dalgic (kneeling front).
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