Georgia Southwestern State University (GSW) hosted its inaugural Science Day for more than 250 local high school students on Friday, November 1. Students participated in hands-on science experiments and lab demonstrations led by GSW science majors and professors.

Students from Americus-Sumter High School, Furlow Charter School and Schley County High School explored science firsthand through a series of 18 rotational sessions that covered biology, chemistry, mathematics, anatomy, astronomy, physics and glassblowing.

“The goal of Science Day is to promote all STEM areas to high school students from local schools through hands-on experiments and demonstrations,” said Nedialka Iordanova, GSW chemistry professor and one of the organizers of the event. “We hope students are also encouraged to continue their education in one of GSW’s science programs.”

The rotational sessions included viewing the sun from the Agerton Observatory atop the Roney Science Building, holding snakes and other reptiles in the biology lab, and igniting gas-filled bubbles in the chemistry lab.

“The students saw a lot of new things they’ve never seen before,” said GSW alumnus and Furlow Charter School teacher Prabhu Dwaram. “It’s an amazing opportunity for them to see science at work in their own community.”

Science Day concluded with lunch in GSW’s Centennial Plaza, complete with liquid nitrogen ice cream for dessert. Student were also treated to a number explosions in the Plaza, which launched ping pong balls into the air.

Science Day was sponsored in part by an Innovative Project Grant from the American Chemical Society and was hosted by GSW’s Chemistry Club, glassblowing studio and science programs.