Science Saturday Chemistry at VSU

We are still in awe of these young scientists in the laboratory. 🧪 Thank you to Professor Woldman for coordinating the Chemistry Camp, and instructors Professors de la Garza, Salami, and Sreenilayam of the Department of Chemistry and Geosciences College of Science & Mathematics at Valdosta State University.

Telescope opportunity tonight! 🔭

Message from Dr Leake: Tonight is the close approach of the planets Venus and Jupiter in the northwest sky!

This conjunction is not rare but is beautiful because of how bright and close these planets will be, within 1.5 degrees, about a finger width apart, from 9:00 to 10:30. They set in the northwest near 11 pm.

The VSU observatory deck, on the 4th floor of Nevins Hall, will be open for visitors from 8:30 pm to 10:30, to see the planetary conjunction and perhaps, if weather permits, to see each planet in a telescope. The planet Mercury is also in the gathering, to the lower left of Venus. The planets will continue to be close together in the next few days. Dr. Martha Leake will be operating the telescopes.

Visitors are welcome to the roof of Nevins Hall. Please come to the southeast entrance, where the stairway (or elevator) will take you to the Fourth floor. At least two telescopes will be set up for viewing. You will be able to see this event from any location with a clear horizon to the west-northwest. Clear skies to all!

We hosted a successful camp! Students performed many reactions, inorganic and organic, analyzed materials, and reviewed basics such as the law of conservation of matter in the lab at Valdosta State University. 🧪

Our 9-12th grades camp starts Monday! Registration is still open.

Announcement:
Chemistry Camp
June 1-5, 2026
$125
For students in 9th-12 grade in Fall 2026

Activities:
Do organic synthesis
Work with shape-changing materials
Nickel-plate small objects
Learn about the chemistry of colors

At the Department of Chemistry and Geosciences Valdosta State University