It's not often that students get to chew gum in class, but on Monday, May 9, a group of Chemistry 20 high school students at Lethbridge Collegiate Institute (LCI) will be chewing for science - and working with chemistry and biochemsistry graduate student volunteers from the University of Lethbridge.

The experiment is designed to learn how, among other things, to detect the levels of sourness of certain chewing gum products. It's all part of the new Let's Talk Science outreach program at the U of L, giving LCI students an opportunity to experience a hands-on science activity following a similar method as food inspection agencies, all the while granting students a taste of the importance of chemistry in everyday life.

"As part of this science outreach program, the graduate student volunteers want to share their interest and passion for science with the students in the local schools," says Dr. Ute Kothe, a faculty mentor to the graduate student group.

"By testing something the high school students can relate to - such as chewing gum - graduate studies candidates Lesley Rutledge and Andrea Millen will show the students the importance of chemistry in our life, provide them with a fun opportunity for hands-on chemistry activities and talk about careers in chemistry both as a university student as well as in the workforce. This is also a great extension to the current high school curricular topic of acids and bases."

The new science outreach program at the U of L targets local high schools and is managed promarily by graduate student volunteers in the sciences. This program enhances the science experience of high school students and provides graduate students with the opportunity to grow their skills in science communication, thereby strengthening the connection between the University and local schools.

The group has conducted numerous school visits in chemistry, biology and physics high-school classes in Lethbridge, offered a teachers' workshop at the Teachers Convention in February and added to the scientific program at the recent Lethbridge Science Fair.

The University of Lethbridge science outreach program receives additional support from the national not-for-profit Let's Talk Science organization, which strives to improve science literacy through leadership, innovative educational programs, research and advocacy.