Chemistry Camp offers teens fun with science

Fifty students in grades six through nine spent a week learning about science experiments during Chemistry Camp at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College’s Jackson County Campus. The two week-long camps were held on July 9-13 and July 16-20.

Camp Director, Teresa Dixon, said the camp is about having fun while studying chemistry. It is a way to show students that science is interesting. “We strive to get campers interested in chemistry and to encourage their continued study of chemistry in the future. We want to show them it's not scary so they are willing to take chemistry when they get to high school. Some of them may even learn to love it so much they want to have a career in chemistry, which is a great field.”

During the camp, students made crystals, latex balls, slime, polyurethane foam, fingerprints and a variety of other items they were allowed to keep. They also participated in activities with hydrogen gas, carbon dioxide, flame tests, mystery solutions, melting mole dollars, metals, acid/base titration, and acid/base indicators. They also saw demonstrations in the solubility of iodine, filtration, use of the Bunsen burner, use of a balance, and a polymer model. Two guest speakers from First Chemical Corporation discussed the chemical plant’s operation and environmental safety. Students also toured the First Chemical Corporation facility.

Each camp participant also received a Chemistry Camp T-shirt and painted the back with stencils of lab equipment and other creative designs. The designs were judged and winners were awarded ribbons. On Thursday of each week a Quiz Bowl was conducted with five groups of students competing to see which group remembered the most about the activities conducted on days 1-4. Trophies were given to all members of the winning group.

Winners of the Chemistry Camp 2012 T-shirt Design Contest for the first week were Jodi Cothron, first place; Dana Williams, second place; Dean Hamner, third place; Karah Grady, fourth place; and Ty'ana Hutchins, honorable mention. Second-week winners were Icy Walley and Michael Johnson, tie for first place; Claire Stewart, second place; Kristina Washington, third place; Kaitlyn Packer, fourth place; Micky Forgione and Claire Hulk, tie for fifth place; and Glennie Viverette, honorable mention.

Winners of the Quiz Bowl for the first week were Nathan Jackson, Kananh King Kemp, Brennan Green, Jodi Cothron and Dana Williams. Second-week Quiz Bowl winners were John Lawrence, Brandt Fox, Marc Molloch, Mickey Forgione and Brian Kovacevich.

First Chemical Corporation, a Dupont Company, and MGCCC sponsor the camp, which is in its 22nd year. First Chemical helps fund the camp with a $5,000 grant annually.