We are actively involved in Middle School outreach to local area schools such as Aki Kurose Middle School and Jane Addams K-8. Outreach activities are planned in close collaboration with the Seattle MESA program which aims to increase the participation of underrepresented minority students in the math, engineering and science fields. We are supported by the experimental expertise of Marianne Cavelti and Eric Camp at UW Chemistry.

We have also recently initiated outreach to Seattle area high schools. In partnership with Ms. Debbie Alan-LaZerte we are developing lecture-demos to introduce students at Bishop Blanchet High School to fundamental concepts in eukaryotic epigenetics and prokaryotic drug resistance. Our two-fold goals are: (1) to increase awareness among teenagers that environmental pollutants, such as cigarette smoke, can directly change the modification state of histones and thus disrupt normal gene function. And (2) to explain how the overuse and incorrect dosage of today’s potent antibiotics can lead to drug resistance in disease-causing bacteria in the near future.

Debbie LaZerte:
Debbie is a highly motivated science and math teacher at Bishop Blanchet High School. She obtained a B.S. in Biology (Chemistry Minor) and M.Ed. in Curriculum & Instruction from the University of Washington. Debbie’s many accomplishments include a Genetech Fellowship, Outstanding Partner in Education Award, TLP Recipient, Jordanian Educational Trust Fellow, and an MJ Murdock Partners in Science Grant.

West Campus Children’s Center (WCCC): From time to time, we walk over to the pre-school room at UW’s Childcare Center on campus and introduce 4-5 year olds to Gas Laws. We talk about the effect of pressure and temperature on the state of gases and do demos that reflect these changes. Liquid nitrogen is always a huge hit with this crowd- even more so when mixed with vanilla, heavy cream and sugar.

Redmond High School (RHS): We visit RHS and interact with members of the Chemistry Club. Discussions range from how to successfully apply to College programs to understanding how our genes are stored and used in the nuclei of our cells. We are excited to interact with the highly talented students at RHS and hope to see many of them at UW in the future!

Wedgewood Elementary STEAM Night: We attended Wedgewood Elementary’s STEAM Night and presented fun chemistry-themed demos to elementary-aged kids and their families.