Barker Middle School, a state of Indiana STEM Certified Middle School, celebrated 2021 National Chemistry Week with many activities. The 2021 National Chemistry Week was October 17th-23rd. The History of “Chemistry Day” In 1987, the 1st National Chemistry Day was declared by the American Chemical Society (ACS) to promote the public's understanding and appreciation of the role that chemistry plays in our everyday lives.
Science classes such as Ms. Mecklenburg’s 7th grade classes conducted Consumer Science experiments for National Chemistry Week. Students tested the cleaning powers of different brands of shampoos. In Mrs. Hamann’s 7th & 8th grade STEM Classes students researched how chemistry is used in our daily lives such as in cooking, cleaning products, hygiene products, and much more! Students also researched different careers that utilized chemistry such as biochemists, forensic scientists, chemical engineers, geochemists, and many more. They performed “Candy Chemistry” experiments and shared candy fun facts. Mrs. Hamann even dressed as an M & M to celebrate! Students put different colored M & M’s in cold and warm water in clear cups and in additional cups candy corn. M & M’s have the slogan of melting in your mouth, but now in your hands. But something cool is that the special melting property is totally scientific. Certain parts of an M & M will dissolve in water, while others won’t. The results are an amazing phenomenon that is called “Floating Letters”! The “M” is not water soluble. Did you know that some candies shed their skin like snakes? Candy corn and others are covered in a secret ingredient that comes off in water. The polish is called “confectioner’s glaze” that makes the candy shiny and keeps pieces from sticking together. The glaze is made from ingredients such as shellac, wax, vegetable oil, or starch. The glaze starts to peel off when you put the candy in warm water. Both kinds of “spooky” reactions too, just in time for Halloween!
