RELEASE THE GREASE: MOLE DAY FESTIVITIES

Abstract

NATIONAL MOLE DAY COMES BUT once a year, on Oct. 23, and it is often marked with chemical celebrations throughout the country. This year, thanks to the efforts of the ACS Delaware Section, students at Brandywine Springs Elementary in Wilmington were treated to demonstrations performed by American Chemical Society President Eli M. Pearce, professor of chemical engineering, chemistry, and materials science at Polytechnic University, Brooklyn, N.Y. Fifth-graders—125 in all—took part in Release the Grease, a series of hands-on demonstrations led by Pearce. Throughout the day, Pearce and volunteers from the Delaware Section visited with each of five fifth-grade classes. The presentations included helpful hints from Pearce on how to get Halloween makeup off using soap, water, and cold cream. The children enthusiastically embraced the activities. That evening, Pearce spoke at the Delaware Section's October general meeting. The topic of his talk was the need for diversity in the chemical workforce. ...