Wednesday, October 26, 2022

The UNCW Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry will host a chemistry outreach and demonstration event in front of Dobo Hall on Friday, Oct. 28, from 1-2:30 p.m.  

Students and faculty will be performing a variety of demonstrations such as “ghost bubbles” and “elephant’s toothpaste” to engage the campus community on the importance of chemistry in a fun and interactive way.  

“Sidewalk Chemistry showcases the most exciting and dramatic demonstrations that are typically included in general chemistry lectures,” said Dr. Elizabeth Walters, senior lecturer in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. “This will also be a way for students and faculty to interact in a more casual manner, while safely explaining the chemical principles. All of the faculty in our department love to talk, show and explain chemistry.” 

Six tables will feature demonstrations on topics including chemical changes, physical changes, solubility, reactive metals and flame tests.  

Other tables will provide materials about UNCW’s undergraduate majors in chemistry, as well as provide information about the graduate program and the newly approved doctoral program in pharmaceutical chemistry. Participants can test their chemistry knowledge at the trivia table, check out 1.0 mole quantities of different chemicals, touch a polymer that can absorb 300 times its weight in water, and play around a photo booth table. 

-- Krissy Vick