Chemistry Students Join Valdosta Library for Seussical Celebration

VALDOSTA — Valdosta State University’s chapter of Student Members of the American Chemical Society (SMACS) will join the South Georgia Regional Library System for a celebration of all things Seussical from noon to 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 7. Admission is free of charge and open to boys and girls of all ages. 

Hosted by the Valdosta-Lowndes County Library, located at 300 Woodrow Wilson Drive, the Seussational event will feature games, a bounce house, a Seuss-themed costume contest, popcorn, punch, a bit of science fun, and a cake to recognize Theodor Seuss Geisel’s birthday. The writer and cartoonist, who is best known as Dr. Seuss, was born on March 2, 1904.  

Dr. Linda de la Garza, an associate professor in the Department of Chemistry at VSU and faculty advisor to SMACS, said that her students will present several experiments based on some of Dr. Seuss’s most popular books.

• Bartholomew and the Oobleck — Everyone is invited to stop by and make oobleck, a non-Newtonian fluid that acts like a liquid when being poured and like a solid when a force is acting on it. Participants will learn more about chemical changes and the properties of water, cornstarch, and other materials used.

• The Lorax — Everyone is invited to stop by and make cotton candy truffula trees. Participants will learn more about the properties of sugar and the importance of trees to the environment.  

• Horton Hears a Who — Everyone is invited to stop by and build molecular models. Participants will learn more about molecular shapes and how the smallest of things can be important, too.

• The Cat in the Hat — Everyone is invited to stop by and race Cat in the Hat-themed rocket cars powered by Mentos and soda.  

• My Many Colored Days — Everyone is invited to stop by and make many colored solutions to test acid-base properties

Referring to VSU’s role in the community-wide Dr. Seuss Day, de la Garza said, “The goal is to bring science to the general public with demonstrations and fun hands-on activities to advance the understanding of chemistry.”  

Saturday’s activities are sponsored by the Friends of the Library and funds from an American Chemical Society Community Interaction Grant, which supports student chapter projects and interactions that help improve the science learning experience of children and teens who are economically disadvantaged and/or who identify themselves as members of certain minority groups.

Contact Dr. Linda de la Garza at (229) 333-5340 or ldelagarza@valdosta.edu to learn more about VSU’s Department of Chemistry and SMACS. Contact Suzie Butts of the South Georgia Regional Library System at (229) 333-0086 to learn more about Dr. Seuss Day.

On the Web:

http://www.acs.org/content/acs/en.html

http://www.valdosta.edu/colleges/arts-sciences/chemistry/

http://sgrl.org

http://sowega.sites.acs.org

About the American Chemical Society:

The American Chemical Society (ACS) is the world’s largest scientific society and one of the world’s leading sources of authoritative scientific information. A nonprofit organization, chartered by Congress, ACS is at the forefront of the evolving worldwide chemical enterprise and the premier professional home for chemists, chemical engineers, and related professions around the globe. The Southwest Georgia Section boasts roughly 134 members and regularly sponsors contests and events that promote public welfare and education and add to the material prosperity and happiness of area residents. 

Valdosta State University’s 2013-2019 Strategic Plan represents a renewal of energy and commitment to the foundational principles for comprehensive institutions.

Implementation of the plan’s five goals, along with their accompanying objectives and strategies, supports VSU’s institutional mission and the University System of Georgia’s mission for comprehensive universities. 

The story above demonstrates VSU's commitment to meeting the following goals: 

Goal 1: Recruit, retain, and graduate a quality, diverse student population and prepare students for roles as leaders in a global society.

Goal 3: Promote student, employee, alumni, retiree, and community engagement in our mission.

Goal 4: Foster an environment of creativity and scholarship.

Visit http://www.valdosta.edu/administration/planning/strategic-plan.php to learn more.