Students from St. Joseph Catholic Academy conduct an experiment in the Carthage chemistry lab, guided by Carthage students.Students from St. Joseph Catholic Academy conduct an experiment in the Carthage chemistry lab.Students from St. Joseph Catholic Academy conduct an experiment in the Carthage chemistry lab, guided by Carthage students.Professor Christine Blaine works with students from St. Joseph Catholic Academy as they conduct an experiment in the Carthage chemistry lab.A member of the Carthage Chemistry Club gives children a closer look at an experiment during Family Fun Night in April 2010.Carthage chemistry students work with students from Washington Junior High School.Carthage chemistry students work with students from Washington Junior High School.Carthage chemistry students work with students from Washington Junior High School.The Carthage Chemistry Club leads Family Fun Night in Hedberg Library in April 2010.Area children learned about chemistry from Carthage students at a science-themed Family Fun Night.

Chemistry

Outreach

The Carthage Chemistry Department is actively involved in chemical outreach to the surrounding school communities. The Chemistry Department regularly invites area middle and high school age students to campus for chemistry demonstrations and to perform experiments. Professor Blaine and chemistry students also go to schools and childcare centers to do science experiments with children of all ages. This outreach is an important part of the Chemistry Department, says department chair Christine Blaine.

"One of our strengths in the United States is our scientists," Prof. Blaine said. "It's a hard road, but we need to reach out to children and convince them science is a fascinating, fulfilling career."

In March 2010, the Carthage Chemistry Department hosted an AP chemistry class from St. Joseph Catholic Academy. The high school students conducted a lab on solubility using the College's chemicals and equipment.

"They are getting a more complete lab on this topic than I could have offered" using the high school's equipment, said Louise Meyer, chemistry teacher at St. Joseph. "They're making direct observations. I could tell them this information, or show them pictures, but this way they're doing it and really learning it."

In April 2010, the Chemistry Department hosted about 50 junior high school students from Kenosha’s Washington Junior High School. The students watched demonstrations by Carthage students and faculty, and learned about careers in chemistry.

Also in April 2010, the Chemistry Club hosted a chemistry-themed Family Fun Night in Hedberg Library.

In July 2010, Professor Blaine worked with children at Every Child's Place in Kenosha, Wis., to study polymers and acids and bases. The children participated in several hands-on experiments and some fun-filled experiments freezing flowers in liquid nitrogen.