Dr. Lori Laguerre, chemistry instructor at Florida Polytechnic University, talks with Nietsche Marcelin, a sophomore majoring in environmental engineering, as they prepare materials for hands-on presentations at the Discover the Magic of Chemistry in Photography and Imaging National Chemistry Week event at the Barnett Applied Research Center on Thursday, Oct. 24.
While many technology and engineering students may not think much about chemistry in their day-to-day studies, a group of chemistry students and faculty aimed to change that with a fun, hands-on event at the Barnett Applied Research Center on Thursday, Oct. 24.
Discover the Magic of Chemistry in Photography and Imaging was part of the University’s celebration of National Chemistry Week, which had a theme this year of “picture perfect chemistry.” Attendees explored the intersection of chemistry and photography, learning about processes like printing with turmeric powder and sunlight.
Rene Solano, a freshman majoring in business analytics, stopped by after class to check out the displays.
“I think it’s cool. It provides a fun experience for chemistry, especially for people who might not know much about it,” he said.
The event was spearheaded by Dr. Lori Laguerre, a chemistry instructor at Florida Poly.
“I wanted to get our students more interested and show them how exciting chemistry can actually be,” she said. “I think people are intrigued to see a fun process like this happen, and once we show them what we’re actually doing, people are really interested in trying it themselves.”
Several students helped make the educational event a success.
“This feels very fulfilling because I’m imparting knowledge to other people,” said Nietsche Marcelin, a sophomore majoring in environmental engineering who volunteered at the event.
Marcelin manned the turmeric printing table, helping students create their own prints and telling them about the process.
“I don’t think I’ve ever talked this much to so many people, but this is very fun for me, and I would do this again despite my nerves,” he said.
Solano, the business analytics major, was sure to stop by each display and talk to Marcelin and the other volunteers about the different ways photographs have been produced.
“They told me about the processes, and it was great seeing their excitement when explaining the science of it,” Solano said.
The inaugural Chemistry Week event is part of what Laguerre hopes will be an even larger chemistry presence on campus. She and a group of dedicated students are working to recruit others to formally create the Alchemist Guild student chemistry organization at Florida Poly.
Once established, Laguerre said the group will have one or two activities per month, including eventual trips to industry labs and conversations with distinguished chemistry professors sharing their research.
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Lydia Guzmán
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