GCSU emphasizes the importance of chemistry on Family Fun Night 

Georgia College & State University’s Chemistry Department and Science Education Center will hold its biggest celebration of the year—a free Family Fun Night filled with hands-on science activities from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 19, at Herty Hall.

Family Fun Night is part of National Chemistry Week (NCW), a community-based program of the American Chemical Society (ACS). Its goal is to promote the importance of chemistry for quality of life.

This year’s theme, “The Healing Power of Chemistry,” highlights how chemistry is used in our everyday lives—especially in the healthcare field. To show this, GCSU’s Science Education Center is partnering with the School of Nursing. Five nursing students and nursing faculty Talecia Warren will demonstrate the significance of chemistry for nurses in a healthcare-themed lab in Herty Hall.

“Last year, we welcomed over 400 people to campus for Family Fun Night,” said Dr. Catrena Lisse, professor of chemistry and director of the Science Education Center.

“This event gives us a chance to reach the community with positive messages about science and entice a new generation of learners,” she said. “Participants of all ages will experience how chemistry is all around us and used every day.”

More than 30 science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) majors have volunteered to assist the public at 10 activity stations in Herty Hall. Led by the GCSU Chemistry Club, activities include science magic shows at 6 and 7 p.m., a blacklight maze, a periodic table of cookies and the ever-popular outdoor pyro-chemistry show—with dancing Gummy Bears and carving pumpkins chemistry style.

Families can also make tie-dye shirts and watch the finale at 8 p.m. with exploding ping pong balls and gigantic eruptions of ‘elephant toothpaste.’

“We love showing the community how fun science can be” Lisse said. “I believe this event is so popular each year because it is free, educational and fun for all ages.”