The UTM Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society and American Chemical Society- Kentucky Lake Section held an educational community event at Martin Coffeehouse on Monday, Feb. 18.
The “Science Café” was open to the public and served to demonstrate the periodic table from artistic, literary and scientific perspectives.
The “Science Café” offered periodic table themed crossword puzzles, worksheets and an art station where guests could make ceramic coasters using periodic table stencils.
Students and faculty alike engaged in creativity to enhance their knowledge of the periodic table.
Dr. Robbie Montgomery, former Phi Kappa Phi public relations officer and professor in the UTM Chemistry department, was in charge of the event.
“The Science Café is a way to bring together, not only the scientific community but others in different disciplines – in this case, we partnered with the humanities to be able to talk about a scientific topic in a way that is hopefully interesting to the general public,” Montgomery said.
At the periodic coaster coloring station, UTM Biology major Lydia Hayes said she decided to go to the Science Café because she thought it would be fun to get to know, and mingle with, professors from the UTM science and chemistry departments.
About 20 people, combined of students and faculty members, participated in the event.
Phi Kappa Phi is a national academic honor society at UTM. Their organization accepts nominations for juniors and seniors from every department who have exceptional academic records. Invitations are extended to those who qualify, each spring.
For more information about Phi Kappa Phi, contact Dr. Chris Hill, at chrish@utm.edu. For more information about future chemistry-related events or Science Cafés, contact Montgomery at rmontgomery@utm.edu.
