Celebration of Chemistry Continues

VALDOSTA -- The Southwest Georgia Section of the American Chemical Society (ACS), in conjunction with Valdosta State University, continues to celebrate all things chemistry, with the recent observance of National Chemistry Week (Oct. 16-22) and upcoming activities to honor a pioneer in the world of chemistry.

During National Chemistry Week 2011, themed “Chemistry: Our Health, Our Future!”, the ACS held its Illustrated Poem Contest, which encouraged area K-12 students to submit poems that involve chemistry and how it relates to health. Topics ranged from vitamins and medicine to nutrition and hygiene.

A total of 124 students from 13 schools submitted entries for the contest in four different categories. The winners were selected by VSU faculty members from the chemistry and English departments. Winners will now represent the local ACS section in the National Illustrated Poem Contest in Washington, DC. They will be recognized locally during this weekend’s celebration of Nobel Prize Winner Madame Marie Curie.

The weekend celebration will honor the 100th anniversary of Curie receiving her Nobel Prize in Chemistry. Curie is known for her extensive research and findings in radioactivity. She also received a Nobel Prize in Physics.

The weekend celebration will begin with a public showing of the 1943 movie, Madame Curie, at 6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 11, in the VSU Student Union Theater. Books will be raffled among attendees during the event.

The celebration continues Saturday, Nov. 12, at the Lowndes County branch of South Georgia Regional Library on Woodrow Wilson Drive. From 3 to 5 p.m. there will be chemical demonstrations by VSU faculty. Children can also test drinks for vitamin C and extract DNA. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn about Curie’s work during a special airing of the 1997 movie, The Animated Hero Classics: Marie Curie, at 4 p.m.

For more information about the ACS local section activities visit http://sowega.sites.acs.org or contact Dr. Linda de la Garza at ldelagarza@valdosta.edu
or (229) 333-5798.

Illustrated Poem Contest Winners:

Grades K-2: A’vyon West, West Town Elementary School (Albany)
Grades 3-5: Kyra Grier, W. G. Nunn Elementary School
Grades 6-8: Sara Knighton, Valwood School
Grades 9-12: Kitra Cates, Lowndes High School

*All winners received a $50 prize.

Honorable mention diplomas were also awarded to:

Tiwaloluwa Salami, Highland Christian Academy
Catherine Morris and Victoria Goss, St. John Catholic School
Raven Ford, W. G. Nunn Elementary School
Anna-Grace Grantham, Coffee County Middle School (Douglas)
Emma Parrot, Valwood School
Michael G. Crozier, Thomas County Middle School (Thomasville)