After 40 years of teaching, research activities and blowing things up in the name of science, John Eng and Wayne Lippa or the Chem Guys are ready to go out with a bang.
Eng and Lippa are from the University of Lethbridge’s Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, and the science enthusiasts have been performing as the Chem Guys since the early 2000s with one last show scheduled for Apr. 9.
Their shows range from classroom demonstrations to large annual events, intended to inspire excitement about science and specifically chemistry.
Throughout their journey, they have performed at venues such as the National Science Fair, the Science Commons opening, and as opening acts for Bill Nye, the Science Guy and MythBusters.
With the final show, Eng and Lippa hope to leave a legacy by raising funds for a new scholarship to benefit future chemistry and biochemistry students.
“I always wanted to leave something behind to the institution,” says Eng. “This is a way to give back to the community and the institution and my academic unit.”
Their shows have revolved around the key motto that, “chemistry is fun.”
“What we do is try to make chemistry approachable, not so scary. There’s so much fear out there. People say, ‘Oh, we don’t want chemistry. We don’t want chemicals.’ We want to dispel that myth,” adds Eng.
Eng notes all the chemical demonstration shows have evolved over the years, since the mid-1990s. “When I used to do shows for my kids when they were in grade school. They evolved from there. It evolved into a much bigger show with the addition of Wayne.”
According to Lippa, the Chem Guys have always been about inviting everyone into the world of chemistry. “The best way to learn chemistry is to do chemistry. The best way to understand chemistry is to do chemistry.”
“I can’t tell you how many times I hear, ‘I hated chemistry in high school.’ So, we try to make it enjoyable. When we do shows for kids, they’re always super excited, but somewhere along the way, that excitement can fade. We try to bring it back for all ages, to get everyone excited about chemistry,” Lippa notes.
Tickets for the final show are free for children 15 and under and $10 for general admission, with proceeds going towards the new scholarship. The show starts at 6 p.m. at the Co-op Centre for Sport & Wellness.
For more information, visit online at go.uleth.ca/chemguys.
