SUNY Potsdam Celebrates Solar System with Family-Friendly Chemtoberfest on Oct. 19

SUNY Potsdam to Host Chemtoberfest 2018, Featuring Science That is 'Out of This World'

Potsdam, NY (10/10/2018) — SUNY Potsdam's Department of Chemistry is perfecting a formula for fun, with the College's Chemtoberfest 2018 event, to be held on Friday, Oct. 19. The free family festival also honors National Chemistry Week.

The scientific celebration will be offered from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 19, in Stowell and Timerman Halls (the Jessie McNall Science Center).

This free event is open to the campus community, as well as area families. Several local school districts and educational institutions have been invited to send classes to Chemtoberfest as well.

This year's festival will celebrate chemistry that is "out of this world," with educational activities taking participants on a tour of the solar system. Guests will check in on "Earth," where they will learn about sustainability, renewable energy and the importance of respecting the planet we live on, before blasting off.

The activities will include a special planetarium show in the Frank Revetta Planetarium, a discussion of the chemistry of different planets, demonstrations of acid-base volcanoes and "alien's toothpaste," cosmic crafts and much more. The Wagner Institute for Sustainability and Ecological Research Greenhouse will become the "red planet" for the day, with lessons about how agriculture would work on Mars.

Part fall festival, part science fair, Chemtoberfest will offer a variety of activities to usher in autumn and spread a passion for science to young and old. Chemtoberfest will once again feature science demonstrations, interactive activities and snacks, such as ice cream made with liquid nitrogen.

Funded in part by an Innovative Project Grant from the American Chemical Society, SUNY Potsdam's Chemtoberfest is sponsored by the Northern New York local section of the American Chemistry Society, the Department of Chemistry and CSTEP.

Chemtoberfest business partners include Airgas, Burley Screen Printing, Evans and White ACE Hardware, Kimberly Clark and Brick & Mortar Music.

Large groups wishing to attend Chemtoberfest should contact the event organizers first to RSVP.

For more information, contact event organizer John C. Proetta at proettjc@potsdam.edu or call the Department of Chemistry at (315) 267-2275.

SUNY Potsdam's Department of Chemistry offers a rigorous and well-balanced curriculum that provides a solid foundation for successful graduate study or a career in chemistry or a chemistry-related field. The department is known for its strong and diverse undergraduate research programs, its $1.6 million in grants to support teaching and research, and the success of its students' acceptance to competitive graduate and professional schools. To find out more, visit http://www.potsdam.edu/academics/AAS/Chem.

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