Science isn’t for geeks, Greg Jones, science adviser to the governor, told a crowded Kingsbury Hall on Nov. 12 for the 17th annual Science Day at the U.
High school students from around the state and their parents were invited to the event to learn what opportunities the U provides for studying science and math.
“When you get into science,” Jones said, “the crowds you meet are a riot.”
Workshops in various departments gave students a taste of what to expect in U classes.
Chemistry professor Chuck Wight set controlled explosions in a classroom auditorium.
“I’d give it at least 10 minutes,” he said after lighting a time bomb made by drilling two holes, for burning methane and for air intake, in a paint can.
The bomb demonstrated how an explosion is created by using proper pressure and chemical mixtures-methane and air in this case.
Information booths at Science Day represented each department, from biology to metallurgical engineering, and featured displays like geology professor David Dinter’s giant brain coral from the Great Barrier Reef.
Other booths gave advice on financing tuition, like the ACCESS program, which is designed to help women enter science and mathematic fields.
ACCESS offers women scholarship opportunities starting at $3,500.
“I was an ACCESS winner,” said Erin Blackburn, junior in math and philosophy. “It’s actually not that hard.”
Landon Wells, a student at Lone Peak High School near Alpine, attended the fair because he has an interest in studying medicine.
“Both my parents are doctors,” he explained. “I’m just trying to get a taste of it.”
Jim DeGooyer, the event’s coordinator, estimated that about 500 students and 150 parents were in attendance.
Steve and Cami Orr came with their son Andrew, who is interested in programming video games.
They brought him to U Science Day because he’s “still trying to figure out” what he wants to do.