Biophysical Society Bulletin | May 2019

BiophysicsWeek

BPS Student Chapter - Kenya The BPS Student Chapter - Kenya celebrated Biophysics Week all week long with events held each day. They held a recruiting event, lab tour, lectures, and outreach events in- cluding hosting a nature walk to the Kakamega Forest where they spoke to students at the Igunga Girls High School about outreach and mentorship programs. The BPS Chapter mem- bers engaged in community outreach events all week and are already planning for Biophysics Week 2020!

The Emory University BPS Student Chapter The Emory University Student Chapter took their Biophysics Week event to the next level by setting up at the Atlanta Sci- ence Festival Exploration Expo in Atlanta, Georgia, to spread the fun of biophysics to the local community. Taking on a hot-button theme, “The Science of Internet Challenges,” the Emory Chapter set up three fun and interactive demonstra- tions to explain the biology, physics, and chemistry behind the danger in three of the most popular stunts on the internet. Hundreds of locals of all ages stopped by the booth and were educated on these social media phenomena. First up was The Gallon Challenge, where contenders are asked to drink a gallon of milk or water as fast as they can, usually within an hour. Onlookers stepped back warily as the “stomach” (a small balloon) filled rapidly with water. Chapter members then began the discussion on elasticity, viscoelas- ticity, and the involuntary responses to stretch receptors throughout the body. They then explored the physics of small particles interacting with water in The Cinnamon Challenge, where brave social media stars attempt to swallow a spoonful of cinnamon, but nearly always end up coughing it all out. By pouring cinnamon onto wet sponges, Chapter members demonstrated how the fine particles clump up rapidly on moist surfaces, leaving only dry powder to inhale. Finally, the Chapter tackled one of the most dangerous and well-known internet challenges: The Tide Pod Challenge. Rather than eating the colorful capsules, the detergent was added to cups of “stomach acid” (vinegar), resulting in a crowd-pleasing bubbly eruption. This challenge brought together biology, physics, and chemistry. Chapter members explained how bases like those found in cleaners interact with the body, then turned the conversation to how amphipathic detergent molecules work to not only clean clothes, but also permeabilize and destroy cells in the mouth and esophagus. With a lighthearted theme and exciting demonstrations, the Emory Chapter was able to inform children and adults alike on the science behind their favorite YouTube videos, leaving the public a little bit smarter and a little bit safer.

Dr. Nyongesa , an expert in biotechnology, gave insight on the equipment used in the laboratory for physics. He showed members and students around the lab and explained the use of several pieces of equipment such as the stethoscope, ky- mogram, refrigerated centrifuge, low temperature freezer, UV transilluminator, thermal mixer, stereo microscope, Neubauer chamber, hemocytometer, spirometer, spectrometer, pressure cooker, microwave, shaking incubator, safety cabinet, and the luminar flow bench. Group picture at the Community Outreach and Mentorship Program (Igunga Girls High School) with BPS Student Chapter members.

Members of the BPS Student Chapter - Kenya take a nature walk through the Kakamega Forest.

May 2019

9

T H E N E W S L E T T E R O F T H E B I O P H Y S I C A L S O C I E T Y