Launchpadders are hard at work on their Chemistry Quest Creation.

We are in Week Six of a ten week Introductory Duke University college level Chemistry course so Launchpadders have the basic vocabulary, tools, frameworks and historical perspective needed to design a Chemistry Quest for the Elementary and Middle school Eagles.

In addition, Launchpadders are:

• Taking deep dives into the practical application of Chemistry and cutting edge challenges in areas like hydrogen fuel powered autos, cooking and the neurochemistry of addiction.
• Writing 2000 word mini-biographies on Chemistry Heroes like Isaac Newton and Alfred Nobel, investigating the fears and passions that drove these heroes, while learning to translate complex scientific discoveries into clear language and compelling analogies that can be understood by the average person.
• Preparing for an October 28^th Exhibition with models, displays, experiments and simulations on Chemistry Heroes; Basic Chemistry and Real World Deep Dives, with the goal of inspiring visitors to learn how Chemistry can improve their lives, all powered by an engaging Chemistry Scavenger Hunt.

For each Real World Deep Dive, a Launchpadder must answer:

• WHY – asking what problem or limitation in the natural world needs to be solved;
• WHY NOT – describing a solution to the problem;
• HOW – a detailed description of how Chemistry might provide the answer.

For example:

Why do people become addicted?

Why not protect people from addiction with a simple pill?

How do we need to chemically change brain receptors to achieve this?

By the end of the Quest Creation we expect to have a series of questions and experiments for the spring  Elementary and Middle School Chemistry Quests.

Learn to learn; learn to do; learn to be.