On Wednesday, February 26, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., the Skyline College Library came alive, transforming into a vibrant hub of scientific exploration. Test tubes were used for mixing solutions, preserved lungs illustrated the impact of smoking, and interactive demonstrations engaged students in hands-on STEM activities.
The “Science in Everyday Life: Beyond the Lab!” event, part of the “STEM is for All” week, was designed to bring STEM out of its traditional spaces and into a multidisciplinary, accessible environment. By hosting this event in the library, we aimed to foster curiosity and show that STEM is for everyone, inspiring people from all backgrounds and interests to see themselves as part of the STEM community.
Six faculty-hosted booths—Biotechnology, Chemistry, Mathematics, Data Science, Physics, and Sustainability—offered hands-on demonstrations connecting science to everyday life. Faculty and student club representatives engaged attendees in interactive experiments, making complex concepts more accessible.The Biotech table featured an eye-catching experiment where students mixed cabbage juice with different buffer solutions to create a striking rainbow. Everyday items like shampoo, conditioner, and aspirin were tested for acidity using natural pH indicators.
The Chemistry Club captivated visitors with an experiment using red cabbage extract as a natural pH indicator. Club members confidently explained acid-base chemistry concepts, while demonstrating how everyday kitchen ingredients, like lemon juice and baking soda, interact with pH indicators.
Mathematics took on an artistic angle as students delved into the beauty of fractals, with one participant describing the experience as feeling “a little like an evangelical priest” when explaining the deep beauty of the Mandelbrot set beyond its visual appeal.
At the Physics table, attendees investigated the magnetic properties of iron by extracting it from cereal and explored the concept of charge polarization using a duster to attract dust particles. The booth also showcased the principles behind optical fibers and their role in high-speed data transmission.
The Respiratory Care booth provided an interactive look at lung health, with students conducting blood pressure checks and showcasing preserved pig lungs—one healthy and one damaged by smoking. Attendees learned about gas exchange in the alveoli and how respiratory therapists support patients with conditions like asthma and pneumonia. At the sustainability table hosted by the Earth Day Every Day Team and SAGE student club (Students Advocating for Greener Environments) and financially supported by a 2024-25 President’s Innovation Fund, students were engaged in dialog about protecting the earth in our daily lives: refusing single-use plastics, thrift shopping, composting, growing veggies and native plants at home, and more. Students used the En-ROADS Simulator to see how different global changes impact climate change, poked through our vermicompost worm bin, and potted succulent cuttings to take home.
More than 65 Skyline College students and faculty participated in the event, engaging with STEM activities under the guidance of dedicated faculty members and student club representatives. One student described physics as “magic” after exploring the hands-on demonstrations.
Student Oscar Hernandez reflected on the Chemistry and Respiratory Care booths, saying, “I was able to learn about acid and base reactions and how pH indicators work. I also found it fascinating to see how the lungs function and how smoking affects lung capacity. Seeing the preserved lungs really made the impact of these lessons real.”
Another student, Mica Jose, shared, “The Respiratory Care booth made science feel real and relevant. It wasn’t just about memorizing facts—it was about seeing, touching, and understanding how our bodies work. It was a great way to spark interest in medical careers and remind us why lung health matters.”
This engaging event was made possible through the time, effort, and enthusiasm of Skyline College’s STEM faculty, staff, and students. Susanne Schubert led the Chemistry booth, Emilie Hein and Marco Wehrfritz oversaw Physics, Marisa Thigpen, Aria Frangos, and Qimmah Tamu guided Sustainability, Denise Hum facilitated Data Science, Rick Hough managed Mathematics, and Shruti Ranade led the Respiratory Care booth.
Special thanks go to the faculty members who encouraged their students to attend, including those from the classes of Nick Kapp, Lucia Lachmayr, Brian McDaniels, Younga Choi, Jing Folsom, Soledad McCarthy, and Heather Esparza.
For a visual recap, check out the event photos captured by MPCR.
The “Science in Everyday Life: Beyond the Lab!” event, organized by Chemistry faculty Susanne Schubert and library faculty Pia Walawalkar, successfully highlighted how science is all around us and demonstrated that STEM is not just for specialists—it’s for everyone.
This event was funded by the President’s Innovation Fund for the Critical Global Citizenship Education Project.
Article by Pia Walawalkar (walawalkars@smccd.edu)
Photos by Mei Lee
