Annual Seton Hall Visit to the Immaculate Conception High School
Friday, March 3, 2023
ACS advisors Prof. Joseph Badillo (left) and Prof. Cosimo Antonacci (right) engage ICHS students in a conversation about opportunities in STEM.
The Seton Hall University Chapter of the American Chemical Society (ACS) visited the Immaculate Conception High School (ICHS) in Montclair, NJ, on Wednesday, February 15th. Working with the Head of School and SHU alum, Michael Seeback (B.S. Biology, Ed.D.), Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry has initiated an annual STEM education visit to ICHS.
2022 ICHS Visit (from left to right): Prof. Cosimo Antonacci, Judge Caridad Rigo, Prof. Joseph Badillo, and Dr. Michael Seeback.
“We have established a relationship with ICHS and will now visit every year to encourage HS students to pursue a STEM degree,” said Prof. Badillo. During the visit, undergraduate students Radha Patel (Prof. Cosimo Antonacci, presented to the ICHS sophomore and junior classes about the diversity of opportunities for careers in chemistry. Students were given an overview of the research being performed at Seton Hall, ranging from green chemistry to photocatalysis and polymer chemistry. Not only did they hear about research, but they had the opportunity to experience chemistry in action.
Prof. Cosimo Antonacci (left) and graduate student Jason Sway (right) discuss the chemistry of carbon dioxide sublimation.
Volunteers were selected to participate in a chemistry demonstration on the conversion of solid carbon dioxide directly to a gas, a process known as sublimation. Students also learned about the chemistry of glow sticks (Cyalume), a process known as chemiluminescence, and all the students were given a glow stick.
Students were also encouraged to apply for the ACS Project SEED. “One of our goals each visit is to make students aware of Project SEED,” said Prof. Badillo. The ACS Project SEED provides college-level research experiences for economically and socially disadvantaged high school students. Seton Hall is host to the annual NJ/NY Project SEED Symposium.
Categories: Science and Technology
