About the Σ Chapter
Professional Events
National Chemistry Week
Every fall we help the American Chemical Society celebrate NCW. The main event of the week for us is Family Science Night. Held at a local elementary or middle school, the night is a big production featuring many rooms of science activities. We manage one room, doing two or three chemistry demonstrations that go along with that year's theme. Past demos have included paper chromatography, grown crystals, oxidation with invisible ink, and super-gigantic bubbles.
The American Chemical Society also has a presence at the Cal football game during NCW. We help them with their "fun zone" chemistry booth before the game. We also help carry a massive "Sg 106" flag onto the football field at halftime. The flag is a tribute to Nobel Laurite and AXΣ brother Glenn Seaborg. The 106 reefers to element 106 which was named Seaborgium in his honor. Recently, this tradition has been put on hold due to security precautions.
Boy Scout Merit Badge Day
Alpha Chi Sigma originally developed the chemistry merit badge program for Boy scouts in the 1950s. In past summers, we have put on a two-day class that covers the necessary chemistry material. After that, the Boy scouts take a test and receive their chemistry merit badge.
Demonstrations and Magic Shows
In conjunction with local high schools, middle schools, and the Oakland Children's hospital, we've run demos and magic shows with the purpose of entertaining while reinforcing fundamental chemical principles. Students are always impressed to see chlorophyll fluorescence from ordinary spinach and a bright glow from our "glow stick" reaction. The grand finale is our glowing pickle, sparking and stinking up the room while current passed through it causes the sodium to emit vibrant orange light. We've even done a few (safe!) explosions to demonstrate kinetics vs. thermodynamics.
Cal Day
Every year, AXΣ helps the College of Chemistry with Berkeley's spring open house, Cal Day. Our members lead prospective students on tours of the chemistry and chemical engineer teaching labs and answer questions about the Berkeley experience. It is kind of funny how many random people I meet who remember me from a tour I gave them several years ago.
Faculty Wine and Cheese
Each spring, AXΣ hosts a wine and cheese event for the College of Chemistry Professors. The event helps maintain ties between the college and the fraternity and gives students a chance to socialize with their professors in an informal environment. We usually have our wine and cheese on the 7th floor of Tan Hall, one of the best views on campus.
Pizza with Professors
Even less formal than wine and cheese. We take one professor to LaVals, get some pizza (and beer) and spend an hour or two hanging out. We have gone out with Professors Bergman, Mathies, Geissler, and Francis (now our advisor)
Tutoring Program
We offer free one on one tutoring in chemistry and chemical engineering. We can always handle lower division chemistry, though we may or may not have people able to help with upper division classes. Please contact us or email the Master Alchemist for more information. We are not only passionate about chemistry, be we are excited about sharing that interest
