UNL Chemistry Day Sept. 24 for students, teachers, parents

The fifth annual Chemistry Day at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln will be held 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Sept. 24 in Hamilton Hall on the UNL city campus. The event is free but pre-registration is required. Attendees will have the opportunity to win scholarships and chemistry-related door prizes.

The event will introduce high school students, parents and science teachers to opportunities and careers in the field of chemistry. UNL students interested in becoming chemistry majors are also welcome to participate.

The morning session will include visits to three labs to learn about faculty research and experimental demonstrations will be performed. An introduction to career possibilities for students with a chemistry degree will be explored.

At noon participants will be introduced to Nebraska's only glassblowing shop, and do a T-shirt chromatography, a technique for separating complex mixtures of chemicals or proteins into their various constituents. Also at noon, visiting teachers will participate in a short roundtable to learn how to perform low-cost but spectacular demonstrations in their classrooms.

At 1 p.m., Mark Griep, associate professor of chemistry, will present his talk "Drug Discovery in the Movies," in which the real process of drug discovery will be contrasted with its portrayal in the movies.

To see a more detailed schedule and to register, visit the UNL chemistry Web page at Chemistry Day. Registrations will be taken until all the slots are filled. Contact: DeAnna Larson (402) 472-2977