Chemistry Circus comes to town

The circus came to ACU, but the only animal there was "Red" the gummy bear. On May 17, Abilene Christian High School students and ACU professor Dr. Kim Pamplin, held a Chemistry Circus at Walling Lecture Hall for students from Abilene Christian Elementary Schools.

Pamplin, associate professor and chair of the chemistry and biochemistry department, has been the ringmaster for this circus for the past seven years.

"This is a great opportunity for the high school chemistry students to become the teachers," said Pamplin. "These students have spent the year learning about chemistry, and this opportunity encourages them to take what they've learned and extend it as they learn about the specific reaction they are demonstrating. Of course, part of the reward is getting to do some reactions just for fun that they probably would not normally do in a teaching lab."

ACHS students performed experiments using common items such as a pickle, a dollar bill, an egg and a gummy bear. The audience enjoyed the sights and sounds of chemistry fun.

Students not only learned about basic chemistry principles, but were also taught many Biblical principles.

"It is a natural relationship to integrate faith in chemistry because, as scientists of faith, we see our study of chemistry as the study of God's creation at the molecular and atomic level," said Pamplin. "We are rewarded by understanding and appreciating creation at a level that some people perhaps never get a chance to see. I value that as a parent and member of the ACU faculty."

The ACU Chemistry Club also holds a Chemistry Circus every year during Homecoming weekend. The event is open to the public, and members of the ACU Chemistry Club are the primary performers, supported and supervised by department faculty members.

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