Worcester State University - Chemistry

😋🍉

It’s 🍉 Here’s a look at the compounds behind watermelon colour and aroma, as well as the chemical cause of exploding watermelons in China in 2011: https://www.compoundchem.com/2015/06/09/watermelon/

Rainy day vibes. ☔️



Image descriptions:
1.-2. Getting ready to dodge the rain drops while crossing the quad.

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Spain are the winners of the 2026 World Cup 🏆 Here's a look at how the materials that make up the shirts help them stand up to all the shirt-pulling and rough-housing in a typical Argentina match ⚽

Dr. Kaufman’s STEM Connections topic was Surface and Subsurface Water. Students spent the day learning at the Patch Field House including measuring infiltration rates.



Image descriptions:
1. Five students posing for photo with Patch Reservoir in the background.
2. Students gathered around a setup on the ground.
3.-4. Second set of students around their own setup.
5. Another set of students in a third spot.
6.-7. First set of students making observations.
8.-9. Students and Jolena continue activity gathered around picnic tables.

Dr. Malakar’s STEM Connections topic was Clean Water. The students took a field trip to the Worcester Water Filtration Plant in Holden.



Image descriptions:
1. Students, tour guide and Jolena gather along a staircase inside of the filtration plant.
2. Students and Jolena stand outside in front of the filtration plant.

The theme of STEM Connections 2026 was an investigation of Central Massachusetts surface water. Dr. Grennan of Biology spent the day teaching about Aquatic Ecosystems. The students visited the Patch Field House on Patch Reservoir as well as spots on campus to gather water samples.



Image descriptions:
1. Four students gathered on the dock at the Patch Field House.
2.-3. Students on the shore at Patch Field House.
4.-5. Students working in the lab on campus.

Dr. Murphy’s STEM Connections Program for local high school students is a wrap for 2026. Thank you to Cornerstone Bank for your support in making the program possible! More photos to come...



Image description: Dr. Murphy (far left), Jolena Deeds (far right - Chemistry Major and student assistant), and the STEM Connections Students gather to show off their new t-shirts.