THATCHER Eastern Arizona Colleges Chemistry Department welcomed 74 high school students and their teachers to the 25th annual Student Chemistry Adventure. Twenty-one unique teams from high schools across Arizona enjoyed a day filled with chemistry.

Teams composed of three to four students competed against each other while rotating through three separate chemistry activities. The Industrial Laboratory competition was led by Jing Lin, senior chemist at Freeport-McMoRan, and Duane DeSpain, EAC biology instructor, with assistance from five additional FMI scientists.

The Knowledge and Speed competitions, where students had 55 minutes to complete several short chemistry projects, concluded the activities. At the end of the tournaments, each participant was presented with a copper puck souvenir courtesy of FMI.

After a lunch provided by Sodexo Food Service, students and teachers congregated in the Math/Science Building, where an array of other colorful, loud, bright and exciting chemical demonstrations were given.

Dr. Phil McBride, EAC dean of instruction, recognized the participants and expressed thanks to the high school chemistry teachers for their efforts in providing quality instruction to their students.

The Atoms Family of Safford High School, composed of Danny John, Summer Dahlquist-Tookey, Dalton Henrie and Statton Baldwin, received first-place medals and a team plaque.

Second-place medals and a team plaque went to the Morenci Cu Cats composed of Ernest Arvizo, Matthew Porter, Skyler Howard and Andrew Stavast.

Third-place medals and a team plaque went to NaCl from Thatcher High School, composed of Katie Baldwin, Maya Baldwin and Marc Terry.

McBride, DeSpain and Joel Shelton, another of EACs chemistry instructors, expressed a special thanks to high school teachers Joni Giacomino (Douglas), Becky Bell (Duncan), Dana Olson (Fort Thomas), Kristy Roberts (Morenci), Heidi Vosbein (Mt. Graham), Carol Hawkins (Pima), Brian J. Bruessel (Safford) and Ty White (Willcox) for their teaching expertise and dedication to their students.

For further information about educational and career opportunities in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) fields or for information about exciting science camps being offered this summer for students entering grades 6-12, including a three-day, two-night extended camp at Tonto Creek, contact McBride at Eastern Arizona College at 928-428-8404.

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EAC's 24th annual Student Chemistry Adventure brings chemistry to life - Eastern Arizona Courier