Ottawa CIC Local Section Mall Event

by Nauzer Forbes, Student at Colonel By High School

Students, teachers, parents and children alike gathered harmoniously at Place d’Orleans Shopping Centre on what would have been an otherwise gloomy Saturday afternoon. It was here that National Chemistry Week in Canada (NCW) showed its true spirit in full form.

In an effort to raise awareness of ongoing activities in chemistry nation-wide, science students from Colonel By Secondary School joined forces with their respected teacher Ms. Savita Pall, engaging a diverse and truly enthralled audience in day-long activities; showing that science is not only a booming industry, but can be fun for all ages as well. Also present were Rashmi Venkateswaran and Bob Nadon from the University of Ottawa, showing what a ‘big bang’ chemistry is making world-wide. The benevolent Dr. Edward Lai, Chair of the Ottawa Section of CIC and Professor of Chemistry at Carleton University, was present to ensure that the afternoon went according to plan.

Many students were elated when presented with the opportunity to spread knowledge about chemistry while, at the same time, interacting with eager children, the future lifeline of the ever-growing scientific industry. “We brushed up on our chemistry while putting on a show for the kids: now that’s what I call a win/win,” exclaimed Brad Ficko, a devoted science student at Colonel By. He went on to say that the day was “highly enjoyable on the whole,” and that he would more than gladly “pitch in next time around.”

Others were equally enthusiastic about the experience, to say the very least. Stephanie Hunt agreed with her good friend Caitlin Beck when she said that “the entire experience is beneficial to everyone. Younger minds are nourished, and a life-long interest in chemistry and science is sparked as a result.” “For us (the students), it’s just as important, because we learn the value of restating the fundamentals,” quipped Caitlin in addition, making a valid point.

Among the various experiments set up for the children was an innovative method of plating pennies with very ‘gold-like’ zinc, as well as elementary precipitation and solution reactions during which the youngsters witnessed eye-catching changes in colour. Doug Campbell, who supervised the latter, had this to contribute: “It’s funny how easily we forget our childhood days. Ten years ago, I would have been the one smiling uncontrollably, clutching at my dad’s shirt. Today, it’s routine chemistry. But, it sure was fun taking that trip back today, even if it was only for a short time.”

The following is the complete list of the Colonel By students involved with the NCW activities: Brad Ficko, Nauzer Forbes, Stephanie Hunt, Caitlin Beck, Kyle Conway, Doug Campbell, Dong Yan, Rob Lepage, Hussein Zayoun.

All in all, it cannot be argued by anyone who was present that the day was a complete and utter success, in every sense of the word. No matter what the future holds for these bright, keen and committed students of science, one thing was clear at day’s end. It was put best by Dong Yan, a budding geneticist, who expressed that “this day was unequivocally for and about the children. Their smiles of gratitude and incredulity were swiftly transposed onto our faces, and ultimately were more than adequate as a reward for the time taken.” The truth was never spoken so justly.