For the past thirteen years, the Illinois Sections of the ACS have sponsored and run a science tent in the Conservation World section of the Illinois State Fair. This year, the tent is scheduled to be open from August 10 through the 19th at the Illinois State Fairgrounds 801 Sangamon Avenue Springfield, IL 62706. Volunteers are still needed for the event, specifically for especially the 2nd shift (12:30pm to 4pm) of Thu-Sat (8/17-8/19) and take down of the tent on the 19th at 7pm. If you would like to volunteer for this please sign up here or email me directly. We have some funds available for travel reimbursement, so please email me if you intend to go and volunteer, we can reimburse you for gas. If anyone would like a ride to the fair, I will leave at 10am on Saturday the 19th, just email me. In the past volunteers have been able to gain entrance to the fair for free. There will also be free pizza for all volunteers.
Further information about the tent can be found below:
The tent is an outreach of the Illinois Local Sections developed to enhance the public’s awareness of the contributions of chemistry to our everyday lives and the nation’s economy. This will be our 14th year hosting this activity. We provide information to the public on science by way of science demonstrations, hands-on activities, information for teachers (including a CD with over 200 chemistry experiments), and literature and give-aways for the public. This annual event allows children of all ages to have fun learning about chemistry. Last year, we had over 10,000 visitors to our tent including many who join us every year.
In the past, your Section has provided funding and volunteers to make this all possible. We need your help again to be one of our sponsors of this valuable outreach activity promoting the positive aspects of chemistry. We impact a large number of visitors ranging from young children to adults, representing a wide range of education and occupations, and allowing Illinois chemists to communicate the value and fun of chemistry. The funds that we raise are used to help offset the cost of demo and hands-on supplies, rental equipment, our space, and give-aways. Any monetary amount is welcome, suggested levels are from $100 and up. Checks can be made payable to the Chicago Section American Chemical Society State Fair Account. As in the past, we will promote your Section’s name as a sponsor at the front of the tent as well as on our State Fair website and the informational CD distributed to over 300 Illinois school teachers that visit the tent annually. Also, you will be able to include this activity in your annual report to National. Our State Fair website is at: http://www.acsillinoisstatefair.org.