April 4, 2023
Thousands of people experienced science firsthand at the annual UNC Science Expo. The Morehead Planetarium and Science Center hosted the annual Expo on April 1 in partnership with students and faculty from Carolina.
UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy staff set up a booth where people could experience different aspects of pharmacy. Kids went through a geriatric simulation by putting on special glasses and gloves to try to open a prescription bottle and read the medication instructions. They also had the chance to practice measuring liquid medications with a syringe and counting “pills” represented by M&M’S and Skittles.
“I really enjoyed getting to share my love of pharmacy with kids of all ages and show them the fun and science that is part of being a pharmacist,” said Kathryn Fuller ‘15, Pharm.D., assistant professor in the Division of Practice Advancement and Clinical Education (PACE). Fuller along with Wendy Cox ‘98, Pharm.D., associate dean of admissions and accreditation and associate professor in PACE, and Jana Thompson, M.A., director of Pharm.D. recruitment, represented the School during the event.
The event featured more than 100 hands-on activities, science demonstrations, games and performances led by STEM students, researchers and practitioners from the University. Some of the other demonstrations included seeing a chemical reaction, learning how to plant a seed and help it grow and putting a foam puzzle together to make a DNA model.
The UNC Science Expo kicks off the North Carolina Science Festival, a celebration of science across the state throughout April. This is a great opportunity for the next generation to learn about science through exciting demonstrations and be inspired to possibly pursue science careers in the future.