 "Photo: Photo courtesy of Tonya Gerald")
This summer a few N.C. Central University's professors volunteered their time and expertise to show area youth that chemistry is everywhere ... and that it's fascinating. The Science and Everyday Experiences program, sponsored by the Durham Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, is now in its sixth year.
This summer's program — Celebrating the Year of Chemistry — worked with about 40 children from Durham and surrounding areas, aged 9 through 14, who participated in the half-day program at the Delta House.
The SEE initiative is designed to promote a love of science in African-American children through emersion in fun, thought provoking activities. The camp is designed to provide the campers and their parents with an opportunity to view the wonders of the everyday world through the eyes of chemistry.
Durham SEE chair Sharon Beard said that her focus is outreach. Scientists from N.C. State University, Duke University, the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences and the N.C. Chapter of the American Chemical Society joined NCCU faculty to assist the summer camp.
"One of our goals is to get chemists into the community," Beard explained. Two NCCU chemistry assistant professor's Darlene Taylor and Tonya Gerald taught the older campers how to make two different polymers, "Obleck" and "Goop."
Taylor explained that it is essential for young people to have hands-on exposure to science. She said the SEE camp promotes diversity in sciences. "Diversity is a key element in creativity," she explained. NIEHS scientists Elena Braithwaite and Danielle Watt, a postdoctoral fellow, worked with the young children on the basics on polymers as well as acids and bases.
Watt said the children should learn that chemistry does not stop at the classroom door. "I feel if we can relate science to something children do every day, they wouldn't shy away from it so much," she said.
William Switzer, an associate professor emeritus at NCSU demonstrated ways that matter can maintain its state as well as the how it can be manipulated in unique ways, including the ever-popular use of dry ice. Switzer said he hopes to instill a love of chemistry in today's youth.
"It's incredibly important for young people to maintain interest in the sciences," he said. Rhonda Powell, mother of 8-year-old twins from Raleigh, was excited to have her children participate in the SEE camp. "I think if you can do math and science, you can do anything," she said.
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