Scouts Earn Chemistry Merits at UT Dallas

05.19.2022

Scouts BSA members prepare to conduct an experiment in UT Dallas’ Science Learning Center on their way to earning their Chemistry merit badges.

The Chemistry Student Association (CSA) at The University of Texas at Dallas recently hosted a daylong event on campus that provided Scouts BSA members an opportunity to earn their Chemistry merit badges.

At the April 30 event, more than 50 North Texas Scouts ages 11-17 participated in chemistry demonstrations, conducted hands-on experiments, and heard lectures from chemistry faculty and graduate students.

Paul Micus, a rising junior in chemistry and the CSA’s service chair, got the idea to hold a merit badge event from outgoing CSA president John Sadler BS’22, who had been a Scout himself.

“This particular merit badge can be complicated to obtain, but we knew UT Dallas had amazing facilities and resources to make it happen,” Micus said.

Micus and some 20 other UT Dallas students worked with several campus units, including the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, the Programs for Minors office, the Student Organization Center and lab safety specialists, as well as the BSA Circle Ten Council, to make the event a success.

“I did not realize the number of moving parts it would take to make this happen,” Micus said. “But we knew that with a lot of planning, we could make it an exciting day, not only to teach our community about a science we all love, but also to show off our campus to possibly future Comets.”

Chemistry doctoral student Marius Popa (in dark blue lab coat) gave an overview as Scouts eagerly awaited their chance to try a hands-on chemistry experiment.

Scouts heard about UT Dallas research from graduate students and Dr. Mihaela Stefan, head of chemistry and biochemistry and a Eugene McDermott Professor. In the Science Learning Center, they donned goggles, gloves and lab coats as they practiced chemistry laboratory techniques, such as filtration and plating copper onto a nail, and they observed how molecular interactions and pressure can affect the density of substances. They also learned how chemistry is a part of everyday life.

“Our main goal was to show that chemistry is all around us, and, even if you are not studying it in school, you are still an active participant in the science through day-to-day tasks,” Micus said.

For about 18 months, the COVID-19 pandemic put on hold CSA’s usual in-person campus events and community outreach activities. For several years, the group has been recognized as a top student chapter affiliate of the American Chemical Society.

“It was cool coming back to campus and having everything in person,” Micus said. “As we were talking with the Scouts, and they saw equipment set out for experiments, you could tell they really wanted to get their hands on something. That just shows that they were excited to learn.”

Dr. Amandeep Sra, professor of instruction in chemistry and faculty advisor to CSA, said the Scouts weren’t the only ones who gained valuable lessons.

“I was so impressed by the organizational skills of the CSA officers,” she said. “They learned how to organize the event and do the training of volunteers; it was a big learning opportunity for them as well.”

–Amanda Siegfried