The Barry University chemistry club/ACS student chapter has a long established and extensive repertoire of active engagement by offering a broad range of activities and outreach to cater to diverse interests of its members and needs of the community. We host seminar speakers from industry, academia, research, and government. We highlight the achievements of student members during the “Summer Research Seminar” series where students present their summer research from various internships at prestigious institutions throughout the U.S. Chemistry club members enjoy social activities throughout the semester to network with peers, faculty, and professionals, including science trivia, annual Halloween bash, ACS Program In-a-Box webinars and seminar speaker meet-and-greets. Club members participate in events promoting environmental conservation such as the annual Barry Earth Day Fair and Coastal Cleanup, Members also attended the Barry University Mini Conference themed “Science, Not Silence! Out of the Lab and Into the Streets”, where students engaged in a discussion about how the junction of science and collective activism can improve environmental issues pervading the world today. Members volunteered to host a NCW informational booth in the science building lobby and to performed chemistry demos at two local science museums. Over 1000 children and adults attended these chemistry demos at science museums in Ft. Lauderdale and Miami. Each child at the museums was given a “goody bag” containing copies of “Celebrating Chemistry” magazines, an “Honorary Chemist” certificate, a fuzzy nanomole, chemistry tattoo, and older children received an additional set of science experiments designed to spread their enthusiasm for science. We also received an ACS Community Interaction Grant (CIG) for science outreach to underserved elementary and middle schools through our COACH program (Community Outreach Approaching Chemistry Hands-on), visiting poorly-funded schools to teach science topics covered on state exams and provide fun experiments that encourage students from all backgrounds. Through these efforts, we are able to help inspire excitement in children about science. At the end of every semester, the chemistry club hosts a luncheon where students and faculty come together as family to enjoy a potluck meal, awards for outstanding students are presented, and a reflection of the year’s accomplishments propel chapter improvements for the subsequent year.

Barry University chemistry club: Cultivating scientific zeal through service and community engagement

2019 Spring National Meeting

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