 MSU Club Offers Chemistry Show to Schools
A show that demonstrates chemical principles and the unique properties of materials became available to Bozeman schools this year.
Students who watch the show see the mysterious
"It's a lot of fun," Steve Holmgren said about the show that's
tailored to fit into a class period.
Holmgren, an adjunct assistant professor in the Department of
Chemistry and Biochemistry at Montana State University-Bozeman,
is assistant advisor for MSU's Undergraduate Chemistry Society.
Club members decided to provide the chemistry shows to area
schools to get students excited about science, show them how
science applies to everyday life and encourage them to go on to
college.
"With each of the demonstrations, we don't just do 'Gee whiz.
Wasn't that cool?' demos, but we try to teach them something that
relates to their life," Holmgren said.
The chemistry shows were presented at Sacajawea and Chief Joseph
Middle Schools this past fall by undergraduate majors in MSU's
chemistry and biochemistry department. Holmgren wants to continue
at those schools, but hopes to add shows at the Bozeman
elementary schools this spring. The shows will continue
indefinitely and could move eventually into the Bozeman High
School and Belgrade schools. They are presented free of charge to
the schools.
Erin Shammel, president of the Undergraduate Chemistry Society
and a senior in chemistry, also presented the show at the
Winifred Public School when she went home for Christmas. Her
audiences ranged from kindergarten through high school.
"I am involved in the show to increase the understanding of
chemistry," Shammel said. "When I told people I was a chemistry
major, their first impression was that I was going to make bombs.
"After performing the show at my hometown, I received thank you
letters from the students saying how they wanted to be a
scientist or that they really enjoyed some of the experiments,"
Shammel continued. "Performing the chemistry show allowed me to
increase the students' awareness of majors besides pre-medicine,
teaching and pre-law."
For more information or to book a show, contact Holmgren at
994-5393 or holmgren@chemistry.montana.edu.
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