On Wednesday, September 10th, the University of Department of Chemistry hosted the first Chemistry Night at the Natural History Museum of Utah. In collaboration with NHMU and the NSF Center for Synthetic Organic Electrochemistry, the Chemistry Department invited the community to spend an evening in the museum participating in exciting experiments and explosive demonstrations. Thanks to our students, faculty, and staff members, making up over 60 volunteers, we were able to connect with over 400 community members of all ages during the event. Our student volunteers were able to share their chemical knowledge in an accessible, fun way – whether attendees wanted to learn how to build a battery, go on a scavenger hunt through the exhibits to find missing elements, make a bath bomb from scratch, or witness an elephant’s toothpaste demonstration on the patio, there was something for everyone.
Chemistry Night was a reminder of the importance of outreach, and how beneficial it is not only for the community, but for participating chemists as well. Victoria Russell, Outreach Coordinator for the NSF Center for Synthetic Organic Electrochemistry, who played a pivotal role in the planning and execution of the event, shared:
“At events like Chemistry Night at NHMU, you can see how sharing chemistry outside the lab sparks curiosity and builds connections between scientists and the community. The public gets to share in our excitement and may come away with a more positive view and deeper understanding not only of science itself, but of the many kinds of chemists who do the work. At the same time, outreach makes us better chemists. Explaining complex ideas in simpler, more creative ways strengthens our communication skills, even with other scientists. It reminds us why our work matters and keeps us connected to the broader community our work is ultimately meant to serve.”
We were joined by graduate and undergraduate student volunteers, who gave back to the community by sharing experiments and demonstrations, and were rewarded by the excitement and curiosity the guests brought in return. Two Chemistry PhD students and ChemSAC representatives shared about their experiences:
“I loved seeing our department come together to build something bigger than any one of us.
The hands-on demonstrations engaged visitors of all ages, showing that chemistry is happening all around us - in our kitchens, in nature, and in the materials we use every day. It was rewarding to watch people realize that science is not distant; it is alive in the world around them. Community engagement is a two-way bridge where we share what we know and learn what questions our neighbors and community are asking. Events like this offer a glimpse into the wonders that underpin our world - who we are, what we are made of, and how our world works. For the youngest attendees, early exposure to STEM, especially chemistry, can light a spark that grows into lasting curiosity and better questions. That spark is how we cultivate the next generation of chemists, scientists, and critical thinkers alike. I am proud of how our department came together to make this night happen and grateful to our community for meeting us with such enthusiasm.” – Nico Lang
“Seeing how our community showed excitement for learning about chemistry and how it intersects with everyday life was truly exciting for me as a scientist. This event also gave me the opportunity to directly engage with children in our community who are already interested in science and wanting to learn more. It was so rewarding to share my own passion for science with the community and watch them reciprocate with curiosity and wonder.” – Emma Hale
Thank you to NHMU, the NSF Center for Synthetic Organic Electrochemistry, the University of Utah ACS Student Chapter, the NSF Center for Aqueous Supramolecular Chemistry, and our volunteers for making this night possible, and to the community for showing up and making it such a success. We hope to continue to share science with the community, starting with making Chemistry Night an annual event!
