University of Arizona Chemistry and Biochemistry outreach brings science to life across Tucson
At the University of Arizona, chemistry doesn’t stay confined to lab benches and lecture halls. Through the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, science spills out into classrooms, community festivals and neighborhood schools across Tucson, carried by students, faculty, and staff who believe anyone can be a scientist.
From dry ice clouds to strawberry DNA extractions, CBC outreach programs aim to make science feel accessible, exciting and deeply human.
Olivia Mendoza, senior coordinator for undergraduate and outreach programs in CBC, said outreach wasn’t always this coordinated.
“Years ago outreach wasn’t centralized,” Mendoza said. “Faculty and students were doing incredible work, but we didn’t always know what was happening.”
When the biochemistry and chemistry programs merged in 2009, Mendoza helped build a shared outreach calendar, creating structure and collaboration between student clubs, faculty and research support services. Now student led groups regularly visit K-12 schools, host STEM nights, lead lab tours and participate in large public events.
Despite its success, outreach comes with challenges. Distance, transportation and student schedules can limit how many schools they can reach. Still, Mendoza believes the effort is essential, especially now.
“Chemistry touches everything,” she said. “If we can help students see themselves in science early, that matters.”
“Anyone Can Be a Scientist”
For Abigail Keyes, outreach is personal. Keyes, a junior majoring in Molecular Biology and Art History, is president of Science is Fun, a student organization that brings hands-on experiments to children across Tucson.
Abigal Keyes - President of Science is Fun
“We present a variety of experiments to kids in the community,” Keyes said. “Dry ice, thermal energy, electricity, biology. Our motto is that anyone can be a scientist.”
The club traces back to her high school teacher, who first founded it. When Keyes arrived at the University of Arizona, she revived the program on campus.
“I strongly believe in the mission that anyone can be a scientist, regardless of background or where they’re at in life,” she said.
One of her favorite memories came during Flandrau Science Center and Planetarium’s Spooktacular Science event, where she was dressed as Ms. Frizzle, the iconic teacher from The Magic School Bus.
“Kids kept coming up saying, ‘Oh my gosh, it’s Ms. Frizzle!’ One asked for a picture,” she said. “There was a kid who kept coming back to the dry ice table over and over. Seeing that excitement, that’s everything.”
She tells members of her club that the real challenge isn’t really knowing the science, it’s learning how to break it down.
“You know the material at a college level,” she said. “But explaining it to a fourth grader forces you to ask, ‘What do I actually know? How can I make this simple?’ That’s powerful.”
Advancing women in science
Graduate students are equally involved in outreach efforts. Jenna Mikal Courey, a fourth-year Ph.D. candidate in biochemistry, serves as president of PAWS, the Program for the Advancement of Women Scientists.
PAWS participates in events like the Tucson Festival of Books’ Science City and elementary STEM nights, often leading strawberry DNA extraction and “stoplight” redox reaction demonstrations.
“Watching kids see DNA and realize it’s in them too, that’s amazing,” Courey said.
For many graduate students who moved to Tucson from other states or countries, outreach also builds connection.
“It helps us engage with the broader community,” she said. “It reminds us why our work matters.”
Sparking curiosity early
Leo Russo, a sophomore majoring in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, is president of SMACS, the Student Members of American Chemical Society, commonly known as Chemistry Club.
The organization has existed since the 1960s and maintains long-standing relationships with local schools.
“Kids are naturally curious about chemistry,” Russo said. “We try to spark that excitement early before it fades.”
One of their most popular demonstrations, “fire hands”, always draws a crowd. But for Russo, the most memorable moment happened outside of a lab.
“I ran into a student at the grocery store who recognized me and remembered our demos,” he said. “That meant a lot.”
Russo emphasizes that outreach isn't limited to chemistry majors.
“We welcome students from all disciplines,” he said. “Science belongs to everyone."
Behind the scenes
Much of this work is supported by Paul Lee, associate staff scientist and CBC’s demo lab coordinator. Lee manages supplies and materials for outreach groups and sometimes leads demonstrations himself.
As a graduate student, he helped run weeklong Chem Champs, including one designed for students on the autism spectrum, where each participant had dedicated volunteers.
“Those immersive experiences keep kids interested in science,” Lee said.
Today, he ensures outreach teams have what they need, from chemical to safety equipment, to safely and effectively bring chemistry into the community.
A mission beyond recruitment
While outreach can inspire future Wildcats, its purpose runs deeper than recruitment.
For CBC leaders and students, the events build valuable skills in communication, creativity and adaptability. Volunteers learn to explain complex ideas in simple ways, whether that means answering a fourth grader’s unexpected question or helping a nervous participant feel comfortable trying an experiment.
For Tucson families, the events transform chemistry from an intimidating subject into something tangible like bubbling reactions, glowing citrus, and visible strands of DNA.
As Mendoza looks ahead, she hopes outreach remains embedded in the department’s culture, regardless of leadership changes.
“Leadership may change but outreach will always be important,” she said.
To learn more about the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry’s outreach efforts, click here.