Earth Day
Yearly, ACS co-sponsors an Earth Day at the Midland Center for the Arts. 2010 sponsors include MCFTA, Chippewa Nature Center and Midland Volunteers for Recycling. The theme is “Plants—the Green Machines”, and exhibits are planned around plant-related science, cutting propagation, edible seeds, wind and solar power, eco fashions, and various recycling activities. Also planned are a puppet show and a seedling give-away, and there will also be a visit from Mark Torregrossa of WNEM’s “Weather Garden”.
Science Café
In 2010, a science café entitled “Have a Cup of Chemistry: Chemical Extraction and Coffee-making” was held at Whiting Forest. Extraction principles were discussed by Gina Malczewski, and the ‘art” of roasting, grinding and brewing coffee was presented and demonstrated by Angelo Cassar. Everyone also enjoyed free samples! Ideas for future cafes include CMU activities with NASA, or presentations about the chemistry of photography. Science cafes are targeted to older students and adults, and suggestions are welcome.
Science Fairs
ACS is often involved in events related to science fairs: from pre-fair workshops, to judging, and demos at post-fair award events. In 2010 we participated in science fairs in Meridian, Bay City, Midland and Saginaw school districts.
Science Demos and “Hands-on” Experiences
ACS Outreach volunteers have had many recent interactions with area youth, through Big Brother/Big Sisters after-school (“Teaming Up with YOUth”) events and special activities (BBBS night at MCFTA during “Waterworks”) and a variety of hands-on and demonstration activities (Saginaw Township “SPARK,” for example).
Support of Local Organizations
ACS co-sponsored Educators Day 2009 and 2010 with Dow Chemical and the Saginaw Spirit at TheDow Events Center; this involved a free hockey game and science-related activities. We have also supported the Midland Historical Society’s 4th Grade Dow Museum tours with equipment and presentation content. A hands-on “Water is Wonderful” workshop was given during MCFTA’s “Waterworks” exhibit, and “The Future of Farming—Water, Worms and Fish” , which included do-it-yourself information on hydroponics, was co-ordinated with MCFTA and Bullock Creek Middle School.
Teacher Support
Our Science Literacy group presented a ”Bringing Science to Life in the Classroom” workshop to area teachers during Pittcon Education Weeks in 2008, 2009, and 2010 in New Orleans, Chicago and Orlando, respectively. Local workshops have also been given at Michigan Science teachers Association meetings and in various districts state-wide. These six-hour events provide teachers with the background and worksheets to do curriculum-related experiments using household materials.
