GeDanken Members Bond Through Common Interest in Chemistry Club The GeDanken Society is a student affiliate chapter of the American Chemical Society and is composed of many members of the physical science department. The GeDanken Society kicked off the year witb a physical science deparqnent picnic. Freshmen had the opportunity to meet upperclassmen and teachers while enjoying a meal and playing games. During the month ofNovember, the members of GeDanken went to McRae Elementary School for National Chemistry Week. The students gave informative yet entertaining demonstrations in the areas ofchemistry and physics to the fourth grade classes. Topics presented consisted of acids and bases, polymers and magnetism. The children were extremely enthusiastic and the Harding students were happy to share their knowledge. "It's the second year we've [gone to the elementary school]." senior Chris Hill said. "It's definitely an experience - trying to teach fourth graders about chemistry." The senior members of the GeDanken Society also traveled to Fayetteville to tour the graduate school at the University of " The biggest benefit of the GeDanken Society was the close relation- . ships we built with each other and our teachers. - Jeremy Post, senior " Arkansas. The students became better acquainted with the Fayetteville facilities and gained a better understanding of the different fields of chemistry on the graduate level. "It was good seeing the variety of topics being discussed in graduate schools," senior Jeremy Post said. "We were able to see how challenging yet fulfilling graduate school is." The spring semester was also full of acRonald Doran and Steve Cooper, professors of biology, watch and listen as a fellow faculty member delivers a power· point presentation to members of DeVita. Photo by Daniel Dubois. Freshman Sheila Kukta, member of the GeDanken Society, performs an experiment in the lab. GeDanken enhanced professional development and research opportunities for chemistry and biochemistry majors. Photo by Ed Wilson. Q I--____ G_e_D-a,;:n-_k_e_n"c/_D ev.,--it_a ~ Organizations tivities. The society hosted its annual "tour of the tunnels." Students learned about the steam tunnels that run under the campus. The experience was topped off with a guided tour of the tunnels underneath the science building. "Everybody loves to go down there," Post said. "It's fun to try to figure out where you are under the building. You see a lot of history down there. Most people that have gone down have written notes or signed their names [on the walls]." In addition, the University was represented by many members of the GeDanken Society at a number of conferences throughout the year. The conferences provided students with chances to present their research and compete for scholarships and publication. "The biggest benefit of the GeDanken society was the close relationships we built with each other and our teachers," Post said. "Our meetings provided a release from our normal everyday activities. It was nice to all be together because we all understood each other ," - Rhonda Gregory
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