Glorietta Elementary School Science Fair – 29 March 2022

Our last pre-COVID in-person event was the 2020 science fair at Glorietta Elementary School in Orinda, CA, so it was fitting that we could return on March 29, 2022.  This event enjoys broad community support, and our location by the front entrance ensured that every visitor would be greeted by ACS 2013 President Dr. Marinda Li Wu!  They learned about the CCEW 2022 theme (“The Buzz About Bugs”) and could enjoy the colorful insect and plant photos prepared by Dr. Margareta Séquin.  Their sense of smell helped them identify plant essential oils, and then it was time to study the molecular structures of scent compounds, and try to build molecular models , guided by Dr. Dan Calef

Meanwhile, Dr. Alex Madonik presented the colorful chemistry rainbow, using red cabbage indicator to examine the acid-base reactions of Milk of Magnesia, Vinegar and Baking Soda.  Well over 100 students were ready to don safety goggles and add the next dose.  Periodic Table wallet cards, nanomoles, and copies of the colorful CCEW 2022 edition of Celebrating Chemistry were very popular.