Photo of Justyna Szczech, Andrew Dobria, and Maria Urse at the ACS Bake Sale.
Photo by Cody Michaels.
The third week of October marked the time to reexamine your periodic table, brush dust and ant carcasses alike off the trusty magnifying glass, and button up the always stylish white lab coat. None of these items were needed, although they definitely would have fit the spirit of the week. While yes, Halloween was in the midst and quickly approaching, it is not the Halloween spirit I speak of. Rather, the spirit of science.
The student and faculty members of the American Chemical Society (ACS) at Wright College kicked off the first day of National Chemistry Week on Monday, October 17. National Chemistry Week, or NCW, began in 1987 originally as National Chemistry Day. Ten years later in 1997 was when the decision was made to add annual themes.
The addition of different themes from year to year helped in giving direction and variety to this scientific celebration. Now each year, the new theme allows focus to be turned to another field within the realm of chemistry. As a program initiated by the ACS, NCW spreads awareness of chemistry at a local level. By encouraging participation, local American Chemical Society sections, schools, businesses, and individuals unite in communicating the importance of chemistry in our quality of life through events and activities. No matter the activity, the common goal always remains, demonstrating the real life applications of chemistry and the value it holds every day.
This year, the theme was “Solving Mysteries Through Chemistry.” The American Chemical Society club here at Wilbur Wright organized four days of events and/or activities which relayed this theme through a marathon-like scavenger hunt. On Day 1 and 2, student members held a bake sale in the lobby of the Science Building. At a table, three ACS members sat and sold food goodies such as cheesecake slices, popcorn, and a small selection of soda pops. It was here where curious and hungry students were able to receive the first clue in the ‘CheMystery’, which would climax on Day 4 when the first individual or pair to solve the mystery and crack the case would be donned as the First Place Winner(s).
Although in order to win that title, a series of chemistry based riddles and activities first needed to be solved and completed. New clues were given at each following station, which certainly reflected the name of this year’s National Chemistry Week theme, and led participants through a scavenger hunt style murder mystery. Day 3, October 19, American Chemical Society held a ‘CheMystery Demonstration’ in the Atrium in the Events Building. October 20 tied up the week in the Atrium with the ‘Crime Solving Competition’. The first place winner received their choice of a chemistry, physics, physical science, or astronomy book for the Spring 2017 semester, or a periodic table blanket. Second place was awarded that what the first place winner did not choose.
If you attended the festivities of this year’s National Chemistry Week, you will not be let down in 2017. Next year’s theme for NCW was already named by the ACS as ‘Chemistry Rocks!’, which will explore the chemistry of rocks and minerals.