National Chemistry Week

Do you color your hair? Have you ever owned glasses that darken when you go out in the sun? Or have you ever gotten shots at the dentist before receiving a procedure? If so, you have chemistry to thank for covering your grays, shielding your eyes and blocking the pain!

For many of us, modern advances in technology have become such a way of life, we rarely (if ever) stop to think about what a difference they make in the way we actually live! That’s why the American Chemical Society coordinates a special week each year to highlight the wonder of Chemistry — National Chemistry Week (NCW) — and it’s happening right now!

At it’s most basic level, Chemistry has to do with understanding the basic properties of matter, and learning how to predict or explain how these properties will change when they react to form new substances. When we understand that everything we hear, see, smell, taste and touch involves some form of chemistry or chemicals — we gain a better understanding of how our world actually works. Chemistry is more than experiments of trial and error — it impacts every part of our lives — and makes them much more convenient, exciting and fun.

NCW was designed to raise public awareness of the importance of chemistry in every day life. This year’s theme is “Chemistry is Out Of This World.” Here are some fun documents and ideas from around the web to help you introduce your kids to the chemistry that’s all around them!

•  How about four fun science activities you can do at home?
  • Avogadro’s Air Rockets — use air pressure to make rockets go.
  • Air, It’s Really There — Discover how air takes up space.
  • Seeing is Believing — Capture air with a homemade parachute.
  • Pop Rockets — Use gas pressure to launch a rocket.
• Is your child interested in entering an illustrated poem contest that fits within this year’s theme? They could win up to $300!