An excerpt from Indiana Wesleyan University's "Volunteerism" section:
"IWU chemistry professor Dr. Dennis Brinkman smiled as a chorus of 'ooos' and 'ahhs' spread throughout the lab room as the mystery solution flashed into brilliant colors. Although this was an ordinary experiment, it was not an ordinary day. On this day forty homeschool children, ranging in ages from five to thirteen years old packed into an IWU chemistry lab with their parents to watch the many experiments Dr. Brinkman had planned just for them.
Jill (Garner) Steinke '81 approached Dr. Brinkman with the idea for a science day. Ms. Steinke, who homeschools her two children, currently works part-time at IWU as an adjunct nursing professor. 'She asked if I would be willing to do some chemistry experiments for the Homeschool Association of Grant County in May,' Dr. Brinkman said.
As a father who previously homeschooled his two daughters for ten years, Dr. Brinkman knows first-hand the problems with attempting science experiments at home. 'It's one thing to read about experiments and another to see them in action,' Dr. Brinkman said. 'It can be difficult and expensive for a parent to get materials.'
'He piqued the children's interest in science,' Ms. Steinke said. 'It really was positive exposure to chemistry.' "
Well done, Professor Brinkman, and kudos to IWU for sharing their facilities with area home scholars.
