Division of Math & Science receives ACS grant for Math & Science Festival

MOUNT VERNON—Brewton-Parker College’s Division of Mathematics and Natural Sciences was recently awarded a $500 grant from the Middle Georgia chapter of the American Chemical Society, said Dr. Christopher Jones, BPC chemistry professor.

Monies from this grant will help support the purchase of supplies for the college’s 15th annual Math & Science Festival, to be held Saturday, Oct. 17 in the college’s Morgan-Moses Building on its Mount Vernon campus from 9:30 a.m. to noon.

The Math & Science Festival coincides with the college’s support of National Chemistry Week, reported Dr. Jones.

The free event is open to all kindergarten through 12th grade students in the surrounding area. Students will participate in hands-on science demonstrations and math games at a variety of skill and age levels.

This popular event has grown over the years and should be fun for all who attend, Dr. Jones added. Some of the activities include Lava Lamp in a Bottle, PVA Slime, Gooblek, Solutions vs. Suspensions, Upside Down Water, Borax and White Glue Slime, Pop Rocks and Soda, and Skewer through a Balloon.

Dr. Jones is excited about the grant and how it will help students of all ages in the community gain a greater understanding and appreciation for chemistry.

“Since I have been here we have always celebrated National Chemistry Week as part of our Math & Science Festival,” said Dr. Jones. “This year’s theme for National Chemistry Week is ‘It’s Elemental’. In addition to funding about 25 hands-on chemistry projects using household chemicals and supplies, we will have a crystal structure room with crystals made up of elements of the periodic table (during the festival). The grant will fund many of the new crystal structures for that room, and we will use these in demonstrations in our college courses as well.”

No pre-registration is required. Contact Dr. Christopher Jones with any questions at 912-583-3142 or ctjones@bpc.edu.

-BPC-