Halloween at CSU’s Chemistry Department is about educating the young minds of the Fort Collins community with spooky science and fun and interactive activities – an annual event that is going on its 15th year.
On Oct. 27 at the Chemistry Building from 3-6 p.m., the Chemistry Club and the Department of Chemistry invite kids of all ages to “The Halloween Spooktacular” for Halloween science fun. Family-friendly costumes are welcome and encouraged.
Free and open to the public, this event boasts live science demonstrations, interactive activities, creepy crawlers, and trick-or-treating; led by CSU students and partnering organizations.
This year’s Halloween Spooktacular events include:
- The Liquid Nitrogen show, demonstrating how super cold liquid interacts with the world around you; in a big way! Arrive early to get a seat. This show will have four time slots.
- The Mad Scientist Show, with everything spooky from screaming gummy bears to vomiting pumpkins. Arrive early to get a seat. This show will have four time slots.
- A dark room with glow-in-the-dark science; learn why!
- Live featured animals and bugs with reptiles from the Zoological Discovery Center, underwater creatures from the Aquarium Club, and creepy crawlers from the Entomology Club, all of which you can interact with and learn more about from experts.
- There will also be bouncing bubbles, troll boogers, tie-dye, arts, crafts, games and more!
“The attendance last year was incredible, ” said Hannah Hare, CSU Chemistry Club co-outreach coordinator. “Expecting numbers to increase again this year, we’ve made sure to spread out booths and shows so the focus is truly on the experience.”
This event has continuously reached record numbers, more than doubling last year with over 1,100 participants compared to the previous year’s attendance of over 500. This year, the event is expected to reach around 1,200 participants.
Kids of all ages are welcome, but those under 12 years old must be supervised by an adult. For more information about the Halloween Spooktacular, visit https://csuhalloweenshow.wixsite.com/mysite.
VOLUNTEERS
The Halloween Spooktacular is a department-funded event that is organized and run by student volunteers. The Chemistry Club puts on the show, working closely with the Department of Chemistry, and partners with other student organizations, as well as the Zoological Discovery Center, to provide a breadth of science fun and education for kids of all ages. The partnering student organizations include the Aquarium Club and the Entomology Club.
“This event wouldn’t be possible without the help of student volunteers,” said Maggie Wellman, CSU Chemistry Club co-outreach coordinator. “And it takes a lot to run an event of this size.”
Last year, 40 volunteers helped run the Halloween Spooktacular, and the Chemistry Club is looking for around the same number of people this year to help run the event. Volunteers will receive free pizza and are needed on Oct. 27 from 2-7 p.m.; no background in chemistry needed.
If you or someone you know is interested in being a volunteer, please email csuchemcluboutreach@gmail.com.
