More than 450 people attended two showings of the Holiday Magic Chemistry Demonstration Show that was revived in the 2024 holiday season thanks to staff members and teaching faculty members in the Department of Chemistry.
Assistant Director of Teaching Labs Serenity Desmond spearheaded the effort to revive the popular family-friendly holiday-themed community event that demonstrates chemistry principles in a fun and approachable way. With a long-running history in the Department of Chemistry, the event had to be suspended in 2020 due to the pandemic. This fall, a group of teaching faculty, staff, and students coordinated efforts to revive the event for the first time in five years.
Two free shows, which were open to the public, were held 2-4 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 7, and Sunday, Dec. 8, and just over 230 people attended each show.
The teaching faculty members who performed the chemistry demonstrations were Tina Huang, director of general chemistry; Jordan Axelson, director of undergraduate studies; Elise McCarren, director of the Chemistry Merit Program; and Bhagya Gunasekera, senior lecturer. And general chemistry staff who helped were Thilini Fernando, Blake Lallathin, Alex Ibarra, and pre-show prep was provided by chemistry staff members Genny Korn and Ari Nunez. Chemistry office support specialists Kaley Poll and Mackenzie Murray also provided event support as well as these student volunteers: Kat Calic, Joan Daye, Melanie Garduno, India Glasper, Jolette Hernandez, Janiya Hudson, Willem Jo, Amelia Labaj, Matthew MacLaren, and Giuliana Ramirez.
