FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | March 11, 2010

Chemistry Event for Kids: American Chemical Society Presents Water Experiments for a Sustainable World

Media Contact:

Nancy McCormick-Pickett
n_mccormick-pickett@acs.org
202-437-2873 (March 19-24)
202-872-4381 (Washington, D.C.)

Photo Opportunities: Kids doing hands-on science

SAN FRANCISCO, March 11, 2010 – Kids of all ages, but especially 5 through 13, are invited to learn about the chemistry of water by doing supervised, hands-on experiments led by members of the American Chemical Society (ACS).

A science community event will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 20, 2010, in the East Garden of the California Academy of Sciences (CAS), San Francisco, Calif., and is free and open to all academy visitors with paid admission.

Clean water is essential for life and a sustainable world, and even young children can learn the basic science behind water and how it behaves. These experiments will teach fundamental principles that scientists and engineers use every day, such as surface tension, conductivity, gas vs. liquid states, and molecular interactions – but Saturday’s experiments will teach these complex ideas in age-appropriate ways.

ACS members will provide seven activities that will teach youngsters a range of topics including:

  • X Marks the Spot: how the surface of water interacts differently depending on what it touches,
  • Pencil Electrolysis: how water can break down to form hydrogen and oxygen gases,
  • Lincoln Drops: how water drops cling to objects and how soap can change how drops are formed,
  • Producing Oxygen Gas: how a gas is produced and what it feels like,
  • Colorful Lather Printing: how water can turn other substances into liquids.

The California Academy of Sciences will also be officially recognized by ACS President Joseph S. Francisco, Ph.D., from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. as he provides a Salute to Excellence in honor of CAS’ dedication to provide public education in the sciences.

ACS will present this community event for San Francisco area children and their families as a public service in conjunction with the ACS national meeting, March 21-25, 2010. The theme is Chemistry for a Sustainable World. About 17,000 chemists from around the globe are expected to attend and will discuss the latest research on new drugs to fight disease, alternative energy sources and other topics that address world needs.

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The American Chemical Society is a nonprofit organization chartered by the U.S. Congress. With more than 161,000 members, ACS is the world’s largest scientific society and a global leader in providing access to chemistry-related research through its multiple databases, peer-reviewed journals and scientific conferences. Its main offices are in Washington, D.C., and Columbus, Ohio.