UWI hosts World of Chemistry Days

News

Newsday Reporter

14 Hrs Ago

Students from El Dorado North Hindu Primary School look at the super-absorbing capacity of sodium polyacrylate in diapers. - Photo courtesy UWI — Students from El Dorado North Hindu Primary School look at the super-absorbing capacity of sodium polyacrylate in diapers. – Photo courtesy UWI

POST-SEA students from three primary schools got to dress up for a day in lab coats, safety goggles and gloves and learned the basics of chemistry at “chemistry festivals” organised by UWI, St Augustine.

This collaboration involved three chemistry festivals targeting 150 post-SEA students.

These festivals were held at TML Primary School, St Joseph, on June 10, El Dorado North Hindu Primary School on June 18 and Lucia’s Private School, St Augustine on June 20.

The events were organised by the Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Technology, under the direction of lecturer Dr Yomica Powder-George and research fellow Dr Fasisal Mohammed, through a partnership with the American Chemical Society (ACS).

Students from TML Primary School, St Joseph enjoying their scientific exploration on June 10. – Photo courtesy UWI

“The festivals aimed to highlight the value of chemistry in daily life, foster early excitement for the discipline, and inspire future scientific professionals through interactive activities,” UWI said in a press release .

Volunteers from the Department of Chemistry helped them do seven experiments, which included learning about the absorbing properties of diapers and painting with acids, among other things.

Students who took part got giveaway bags that included chemistry souvenirs such as ACS pocket periodic-table cards and Celebrating Chemistry magazines, as well as instructions on simple experiments that can be done at home with household products. The schools involved also received an ACS wall poster of the periodic table of elements.

Event organisers Dr Faisal Mohammed (far left) and Dr Yomica Powder-George (far right) pictured with volunteers from the Department of Chemistry, UWI, St Augustine Campus, with completed ACS Outreach Training Program certificates in hand. – Photo courtesy UWI

“Feedback from the events was overwhelmingly positive from students and educators, with both expressing a keen desire for future experiences,” said the release.

A participant said,”I learned so much about how chemistry is all around us. I can’t wait to learn more about chemistry in secondary school.”

Power-George and Mohammed said events like this are crucial in popularising science and empowering students to pursue various careers.

“We believe that events like these are crucial for igniting a passion for science at an early age, and the enthusiasm and curiosity we witnessed were truly inspiring.

We envisage this earlier-than-usual introduction to chemistry at the upper primary level can provide students with invaluable skills of long-term value and generate a range of holistic benefits.”

link