By Tiffany Dulgarian
From lectures, to tours, to community outreach programs, the YChem Club finds many opportunities for students to get involved.
'We''re chemistry majors, but we do a lot of activities that enrich and round out our education,' said Tom Anderson, a vice president of the YChem Club. 'We go to concerts, and we go to dances and stuff like that. We feel that our club is a chance for other students who may be interested, to round out their education by exposure to chemistry.'
The club has planned many activities for the next few months for students to get involved.
The Utah Crime Lab is coming to campus at the end of September to inform students on how chemistry is concerned in forensics and job opportunities that are available in that field. Students will also get the chance to tour the Utah Crime Lab and see how chemistry is used in the professional world.
In the past, students have had the opportunity to work with Provo High School and other schools in the area to tutor the students in chemistry.
'It''s open to anybody who has basic, general chemistry experience,' said Carrie Jensen, club president. 'Once you''ve been through Chem 105, Chem 106, you''re pretty much able to tutor in a high school setting.'
A lot of students get involved with this because they take basic chemistry classes for their majors, Jensen said. The club has also gone to elementary and junior high schools and has done chemistry demonstrations for the students.
YChem tries to get the students thinking about how chemistry is applicable, Anderson said. It helps them draw the connection between chemistry and everyday life.
'It''s really a rewarding experience to try and inspire them,' Jensen said. 'Education is fun and exciting.'
The club has been around for more than 10 years, said Quinn Peterson, a vice president of the club. It tries to help out students prepare for their futures in the best way possible.
YChem has planned a graduate school recruiting night, where more than 100 graduate schools from around the country have been invited.
Recruiters for chemistry and biochemistry and students in the majors can speak with the schools to find out more about their graduate programs.
Not every student is looking to go to graduate school, however, Jensen said. For those who are not, a career fair has been planned as well to specifically invite companies who hire chemists.
The club is not an official BYU club but is associated with the BYU Chapter of the Student Affiliates of the American Chemical Society.
Unlike others, this club does not have actual meetings. It plans activities and informs the students of these through e-mail lists. It gives the students hands-on experience.
YChem tries to reach out to every student on campus, Jensen said. That is why there are so many fun and exciting programs available.