One of the main goals of the American Chemical Society (ASC) is to educate the public about chemistry. This year, the Delta State University chapter of ACS performed demonstrations at local high schools in underserved areas of the Mississippi Delta. These demonstrations informed students about chemistry and the post-secondary opportunities available to them, both at Delta State and in Mississippi, in regards to scholarships, degrees, and careers. Chemistry webinars were offered by the chapter on different occasions and in regards to different topics. At one of our webinars, a real-life testimony was incorporated about industrial chemistry and the job opportunities available therein. This year, during National Chemistry Week, the Delta State University chapter of ACS taught students about chemistry using crime scene related experiments. The chapter created a “Who-Dun-It?” interactive mystery solving experience in front of the Delta State University student center. Students walking to classes were invited to participate in the stations of the game, all which used chemistry to analyze evidence. Students were informed about a “crime” that had been committed in the chemistry building on campus and they were presented with physical “evidence” found at the crime scene or on the suspects. They were then instructed on how to use chemistry skills to figure out who was responsible for the crime. Four evidence stations were set up, one featured ink chromatography analysis, another included fingerprint analysis, yet another analyzed soil acidity, and the fourth station was was a chemiluminescence test station. At the completion of the stations, students had the opportunity to vote on a suspect based on the results and information obtained throughout the experiments. This demonstration helped DSU students understand how chemistry works and increased their awareness of how it can be applied to real life events. The chemistry experiments used in this demonstration were also taken to local high schools, allowing students to interact with chemicals and chemistry equipment that are not regularly available to them. At the end of National Chemistry Week, the DSU ACS chapter celebrated Mole Day by inviting the local high school chemistry classes to join the chapter for “GuacaMOLE” and networking at a local restaurant. The Delta State chapter of ACS will continue to spread knowledge, understanding, and awareness of chemistry to the students, faculty, and general public.

Delta State University ACS gives back: National Chemistry Week

253rd National Meeting (2017)

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.