Chemistry Club Receives National Honor
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 17, 2000
Ann Walker
530-898-4143
Chemistry Club Receives National Honor
The California State University, Chico chapter of the Student Affiliates of the American Chemical Society (SAACS) was recently selected as one of the organization’s commendable chapters, placing it in the top 10 percent of the 900 ACS-recognized clubs in the United States.
This is the sixth year in a row that the CSU, Chico chapter has earned this distinction which is given based on the number and quality of the activities of affiliated students. The club will attend the bi-annual ACS conference in San Diego, April 1-5, where it will receive the award and present posters of its members’ graduate studies work.
Part of the club’s objective is to provide assistance to fellow CSU, Chico students. SAACS members are available for tutoring 10 to 12 hours per week, and they use National Chemistry Week, the second week in November, as an opportunity to help educate students about important chemical concepts.
In addition to it’s involvement on the CSU, Chico campus, the club is actively involved in educating and inspiring local K-12 students through class visits and science activities. SAACS members tutor local elementary school students in math and science through a project called the “Hands On Lab.” The club also partnered with Central Middle School in Oroville last spring for a one-week lesson on radioactivity.
“One of our goals is to get students involved in working with other students and build a connection with K-12 schools,” said Cindy Phelps, assistant professor of chemistry and co-adviser of SAACS.
Additionally, the club has visited high schools in surrounding areas to present chemistry field days and magic shows. The purpose of these presentations is to give high school students the tools they will need in their projects with elementary schools, said Phelps.
Last spring, Phelps, along with two SAACS members who have since graduated, developed “Expanding Your Horizons,” an outreach program for middle school girls. The program involved more than 250 girls from Yuba City to Redding in experiments involving light and chemical reactions.
“We want to encourage middle school girls to stay in science and math classes through high school and beyond,” said Phelps. “They need to see that real women do math and science and they’re not weird.”
Faculty members assisting the club include co-adviser and assistant professor of chemistry, Chris Nichols, Larry Kirk, professor of chemistry, and Don Alger, professor of chemistry.
###