Saturday Science Academy (Pictures: Spring 2004 | Fall 2005 | Spring 2006 | Fall 2006 | Fall 2007)
This program serves to give local minority students "hands-on" laboratory experience in chemsitry. Once in the fall and once in the spring local high school students come to the department for a three hour session where they can carry out various chemistry experiments and learn the basic principles of synthetic and analytical chemistry under the guidance of our undergraduate and graduate chemistry majors.
Y Sci Day @ Frick (Pictures: 2006)
High School Honors Organic Program (Pictures: 2003)
This program is run in conjunction with the ACS-Ed group and the SACP. It brings 20 academically gifted high school students to the Chemistry Department for 6 consecutive Saturday sessions. The students hear lectures on fundamental principles of organic chemistry and participate in two laboratory sessions. The lab sessions are mentored by our undergraduate chemistry majors.
High School Chemistry Olympics
Once each year some three hundred regional high school students come to the Chemistry Department for a one-day chemistry competition. The students (in teams of three) perform various experiments, report results and answer questions on topics found in general and organic chemistry. The reports are graded and the teams are ranked based on their performance. The top three teams in the various categories of first-year chemistry, second-year chemisty and organic chemistry receive medals and cash awards.
National Chemistry Week (Pictures: 2003)
YMCA Outreach
A recent addition to the ASA-SA list of outreach activities, the YMCA outreach program is an effort to bring an afternoon of science to youth active in local YMCA chapters. Held once a term at Chevron Science Center, the program targets those of elementary school age and is designed to give a fun, “hands on” introduction into the world of chemistry. Undergraduate students also perform some breathtaking demonstrations that are sure to capture the attention of the up and coming chemists. In addition to these activities, an effort is made by members to periodically visit to the YMCA locations where similar introductions to chemistry are held.
SciTech Festival
The SciTech program is a regional science fair held annually at the Carnegie Science Center. The fair itself is designed to introduce youth to current science and technology. Appropriately, representatives from industry and education attend and offer exhibits and activities reflecting each respective field. The ASC-SA participates by offering a “hands on” introduction to polymer chemistry—the synthesis of slime! Traditionally a popular booth, visiting students are eager to synthesize, color, and take with them their own slimy polymer.
For more information concerning our various outreach activities pleace contact Neil Robertson at nar12(at)pitt.edu.
