Chemistry

​On Saturday, March 15th, we hosted the Chemistry Workshop at the University Community Library! The workshop kicked off with an introduction to chemistry and fundamental concepts, including atoms and molecules, bonding, and the states of matter. In recognition of the contributions made by women in the field, this workshop spotlighted two women in STEM–Dorothy Hodgkin and Angie Turner King.

The participants then had the opportunity to engage in a hands-on activity through paper chromatography. This experiment, which involved separating ink into its individual components, helped to demonstrate real-world applications of chemistry, such as identifying substances in a mixture. One participant shared, “I liked this experiment because it taught me something while being fun and pretty at the same time.”

Next, the girls learned about chemical reactions–how chemical bonds rearrange and interact to form new substances, as well as how to tell when a reaction is taking place. We conducted an experiment involving calcium chloride and baking soda, which resulted in a visible color change and the formation of bubbles. One of the most exciting parts of the workshop was incorporating the acid-base indicator. We used cabbage juice as a pH indicator, allowing participants to observe how the juice changes color depending on the acidity or alkalinity of the substance being tested. A participant commented, “It was cool how the same cabbage juice was different colors depending on the pH.”

Thank you to everyone who came, and we look forward to hosting another workshop next month!