Last Thursday, Oglethorpe University welcomed families to the Cousins Center for Science and Innovation for an Atlanta Science Festival event. The annual two-week celebration of world-class learning and STEM career opportunities in metro Atlanta features 100+ events throughout the metro area.

Teams of Oglethorpe students led interactive exhibits demonstrating scientific principles. At one station, students showed a flashy chemical reaction that used hydrogen peroxide to make a gushing liquid product, affectionately called “elephant toothpaste.”

In another lab, a student used liquid nitrogen to flash-freeze ice cream before the science enthusiasts’ eyes.

Oglethorpe faculty were also part of the fun. Visiting Assistant Professor of Chemistry Dr. Milana Thomas, Professor of Biology Dr. Karen Schmeichel , Visiting Assistant Professor of Biology Dr. Megan K. Murphy, and Laboratory and Field Support Coordinator Kayla Matta helped plan the event.

Oglethorpe joins other major Atlanta institutions, like Emory University and Georgia Tech, in the Atlanta Science Festival, which is sponsored by Delta Air Lines, Georgia Power, NCR Foundation, UPS, International Paper and others.

The Atlanta Science Festival is dedicated to expanding access to science learning opportunities for all in metro Atlanta. These events reach a wide variety of ages and help provide engaging STEM programming to participants.