DeSales Students Make Learning Fun During Colorful Chemistry Demonstrations, Wed., Nov. 14
DeSales University students, accompanied by faculty and staff members, will combine science with colorful visuals and popular music during a chemistry demonstrations program at 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, November 14, in the Priscilla Payne Hurd Science Center auditorium. The event is open to the public free of charge, but seat reservations are required. For more information, or to reserve a seat for the public presentation, call 610-282-1100, ext. 1386.
During the program, 14 DeSales students will use an entertaining style in more than a dozen presentations designed to stimulate learning and create a better understanding of science. The experiments include Treasure Hunt, Funky Fog, Cooking with Jessica Simpson, Disco Inferno, Napoleon's Dynamite, among others.
Established in Fall 2001, this year marks the Seventh Annual DeSales University Chemistry Demonstrations Program. The program, which offers different presentations from year to year, is designed to educate elementary and secondary school students on the basics of chemistry in a fun atmosphere.
In addition to the public event, the DeSales students will give 10 performances during the Fall 2007 semester. Another 10 performances, including a public event, will be offered during the Spring 2008 semester. According to Dr. Rodger Berg, associate professor of analytical chemistry and coordinator of the chemistry program, more than 2000 people in the Lehigh Valley area are expected to see the presentations during 2007 - 2008 academic year.
The DeSales students develop the key concepts, research the chemistry underlying them, and create colorful power-point presentations based on the reactions observed. They also select music that is appropriate for each demonstration.
"The program stimulates the thinking of those who see it," said Berg. "High school and middle school teachers learn new concepts and ideas and find new ways to teach their students chemistry."
According to Berg, DeSales students enjoy taking part in the demonstrations program because it helps them learn additional techniques and different methods of doing chemistry. It also gives them an opportunity to perform before large groups of people and to perfect their communication and presentation skills.
"I enjoy taking part in the program because it helps me learn more about chemistry. It also has helped me improve my public speaking skills and taught me how to present information effectively to an audience," said Marisa Baldassano, '09, medical studies major from Audubon, Pa. "The experience has allowed me to grow as a student and as a leader."
"Before the first program of the academic year is presented, students spend much of their own time preparing the presentations. Once the programs begin, they devote countless hours to presenting and perfecting them," said Berg. "And they do it all for the love of science."
In addition to Berg, DeSales faculty members participating this year include Dr. Stephen Cartier, assistant professor of physical and inorganic chemistry; Dr. Francis Mayville, associate professor of organic chemistry and biochemistry; Dr. Silvia Porello, assistant professor of biochemistry, and Mrs. Patricia Harman, chemistry laboratory manager.
For more information, or to reserve a seat for the public presentation, call the department of natural science at DeSales University, at 610-282-1100, ext. 1386.
Press Release: DeSales Students Make Learning Fun During Colorful Chemistry Demonstrations, Wed., Nov. 14 | Posted on: 11/6/2007
For more info:
Tom McNamara, Executive Director of Communications
DeSales University | 2255 Station Avenue | Center Valley, PA 18034
610.282.1100 x1219 | Tom.McNamara@desales.edu |
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