The Upper Dauphin Area High School Chemistry Club received grants from the American Chemical Society to conduct outreach activities. With an International Year of Chemistry Grant, high school students visited elementary classrooms to lead hands-on chemistry activities and help younger students understand science concepts. With a Community Activities Grant, the club partnered with a local human services center to hold a Science Literacy Night with chemistry demonstrations and reading about scientists. Safety was emphasized for all activities involving chemicals and hands-on experiments.

2. American Chemical Society
Fun and Chemistry?
Yes, they go together!
Upper Dauphin Area High School Chemistry Club
Advisor: Todd Smeltz
Leaders: Tyler Adams, Katie Shaffer, Leslie Etzweiler, Brandon Guo, Tyler
Sidauga, Heath Starr

3. Apply for Chemistry Club Grants!
International Year of Chemistry Grant
Spark an early interest in chemistry and science while providing an
opportunity for older students to interact positively with younger students.
High School students selected, planned and performed activities with the
elementary students by visiting their classrooms. Each K-4 classroom was
visited. There were a wide range of activities. The students are required to
introduce and carry out the activity and help the students understand the
science concept involved.
Assessment: The elementary students fill out a form to rate the activity, the
high school students fill out a self assessment with a rubric that matches what
the elementary teachers fill out to assess their performance.
American Chemical Society 3

4. Reach out to the Community
Community Activities Grant
We contacted our local Human Services Center to plan a Science Literacy
Night. We used the book, S is for Scientist by Larry Verstraete to set the
theme for the evening. The chemistry club students set up stations with
different science activities where the elementary students discovered the
science behind the fun. We also had the book available to read excerpts
about different scientists and their discoveries.
We advertised the event through the area school districts, local newspapers
and local radio stations. We held the event outside. We will be doing the
activity again in late September at the Human Service Center's Fall
Community Fair.
American Chemical Society 4

5. Always Remember Safety!
Be sure that all planned activities take safety into account. This includes:
• Transporting Materials: This is part of the student planning sheet – pay
particular attention to acids, glass containers and glassware.
• Safety Glasses, Gloves and Aprons: We purchased classroom sets of child-
sized safety glasses, gloves and aprons for hands on activities. This also
made the elementary students feel more like “scientists”.
• Have a plan if something goes wrong. Unexpected accidents can and do
happen! Most elementary schools don't have eye-washes. Check to see
what the school nurse has on hand to deal with potential problems. Eye wash
bottles can be kept in the nurse's office as an extra precaution.
• Clean up – make sure there is nothing left behind on desks or student access
areas that could be harmful or ruin clothing or papers.
• Check for allergies ahead of time. Activities sometimes include food – many
students are sensitive to even small amounts of food. The classroom teacher
can usually help with this.
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6. Science Literacy Night
Northern Dauphin County Human
Services Center
Elizabethville, PA
Safer Elephant Toothpaste and the all
time favorite Slime!

7. Sparking an Interest in Chemistry
Upper Dauphin Area Elementary School
Lykens, PA
Making some Glue Putty!

9. Engaged in
discussion!
ICE CREAM!