4th Annual Chemist(o)ry Time Event Inspires Young Learners at Alice, Ever After Books

by Roul Byndloss 

Young children had the opportunity to explore science while enjoying a good story during the fourth annual Chemist(o)ry Time event at Alice, Ever After Books in Parkside. Hosted by professor Dr. Kacie Liwosz, the event combined children’s literature with hands-on science activities designed to introduce young learners to chemistry in a fun and approachable way. 

This year’s event featured The Spark in Me by Miguel Tenco. After reading the book, children took part in science demonstrations and experiments that allowed them to see scientific concepts come to life. 

For Dr. Liwosz, Chemist(o)ry Time grew from her own experiences working with children. She enjoyed doing experiments with kids and seeing their excitement when they discovered something new. She also noticed that some elementary schools do not have a strong core science program, which motivated her to create another way for children to experience science outside the classroom. 

The goal of the event is to help children become comfortable with science at an early age. Dr. Liwosz believes that developing science literacy early can help children become more curious and confident when learning about scientific subjects. By combining books and experiments, Chemist(o)ry Time makes science feel less intimidating and more enjoyable. 

Among the activities featured this year were a mini version of elephant toothpaste, a fast and foamy chemical reaction that gives children a visual example of how chemicals can react, along with liquid nitrogen demonstrations. These activities gave children the chance to watch science happen right in front of them. 

Reading also plays an important role in the experience. Using The Spark in Me as the starting point helped connect the story to the experiments and gave children a chance to move from reading about ideas to exploring them firsthand. 

The event received additional support from The Haunted Mailbox, which sponsored free copies of The Spark in Me for participating families. Because of the sponsorship, children were able to take the book home and continue reading and exploring with their families after the event. 

Chemist(o)ry Time is also personal for Dr. Liwosz. Her interest in science began when she was young, including time spent in preschool at a science museum. Today, being a mother also motivates her to encourage children to explore science and develop their own curiosity. 

For Dr. Liwosz, seeing children become excited about science is an important part of what makes the event meaningful. Their reactions show that young children can become interested in chemistry when they are given opportunities to explore it in an engaging way. 

The event has also helped Dr. Liwosz build connections within the local community. Over the years, people at the bookstore and other community members have come to recognize her as the person behind Chemist(o)ry Time. That recognition reflects how the event has become a familiar part of the community. 

D’Youville students may also have opportunities to get involved in future events. Dr. Liwosz hopes college students will volunteer to help with activities and organization. Their involvement could provide valuable experience working with children while giving them a chance to contribute to science education in the community. 

Ultimately, Chemist(o)ry Time shows that learning does not have to happen only inside a classroom. By bringing science into a local bookstore and connecting it with children's literature, Dr. Liwosz has created an experience where children can read, experiment, ask questions, and have fun. 

Most importantly, the event encourages children to see themselves as “little scientists.” Experiences like these can help build curiosity and confidence that children can carry with them as they continue their education. 

With the fourth annual Chemist(o)ry Time event completed, families can look for information about future events through Alice, Ever After Books’ website and event announcements.