On Tuesday August 18, 2020 the Department of Chemistry hosted its first ever virtual Chemistry Festival on Zoom. The Festival hosted just over 100 students from around the world including participants from Jamaica, Guyana, Canada, Barbados, Nigeria and the Cayman Islands. The engaging activities included a presentation on the nature of science, demonstrations of child-friendly chemistry experiments using readily accessible items from the supermarket, hardware store, or pharmacy, chemistry simulations, and a quiz competition. Prof Melvin Pascal from Ohio State University also addressed the budding chemists.

It is the reactions from the students however that tell the real story:

• “The event was exciting especially being able to do some of the activities at home. It was more interesting than I expected and it would be great if more of these events could be held.” - Nathan Ennevor, St Hughs Preparatory

• “I loved it and would like to do more experiments.” - Micah Lawrence, Mineral Heights Christian Preparatory

• “The activities were engaging. I enjoyed myself.” - Tyrese Campbell, Servite Primary

• “In the future I would like to see more experiments :)” - Matthew Gayle, Savannah Primary School, Cayman Islands

• “This was very fun.” - Isabelle Forbes (Camille's daughter), King Edward, Alberta, Canada

• “Thank you!” - Dami Banjo, Pacific Academy, Vancouver, Canada

Congratulations to the winners of the quiz competition: Zhonya Russell, (St Roch Catholic School, Canada), Matthew Gayle (Savannah Primary, Cayman Islands) and Ramiro Branford (Campion College, Jamaica).

Great job Chemistry Department team! The Organizers: Dr Andrea Goldson-Barnaby, Dr Ainka Brown, Dr Petrea Facey and Dr Joy Ann Marks. The remarkable student volunteers: Marcel Denny, Ricaldo Pryce, Brittania Cheese, Debbie Ann Phillips, Kiara Shannan and Kyra Taylor.

ChemFest 2020 was sponsored by the American Chemical Society.

For more on the Department of Chemistry: https://www.mona.uwi.edu/chemistry/