Hands-on kids’ science activities highlight Elkhart chemistry invention celebration May 1

WASHINGTON, April 22, 2010 –– Kids of all ages are invited to perform age-appropriate chemical diagnostic tests on fictional characters, examine diagnostic tools and view science videos as part of a community outreach effort held at ETHOS, Inc., on May 1, 2010.

The activities are part of a larger celebration designating an Elkhart chemistry invention developed by Alfred and Helen Free at Miles Laboratories (now Bayer Healthcare LLC) in 1956. Dip-and-read diagnostic strips will be honored as a National Historic Chemical Landmark by the American Chemical Society (ACS). The simple test strips changed how we handle basic medical tests and transformed the lives of people with diabetes and kidney disease.

Who: Kids of all ages

What: Hands-on science activities, experiments, and simulated tests – all age appropriate

Where: ETHOS, Inc., 1127 Miles Ave. (formerly Myrtle St.) Elkhart, Ind.

When: Official ceremony at 1 p.m. Kids’ activities to follow beginning at 1:30 p.m.

Contact: Phone: 574-266-7149; Toll-free 888-724-4386; or http://www.ethosinc.org/

ACS designates as National Historic Chemical Landmarks those seminal chemistry inventions, discoveries, and research that fundamentally improve peoples’ lives. Since the program’s inception in 1992, ACS has designated 66 landmarks (including dip-and-read diagnostic tests). Other landmarks include the discovery of penicillin, the development of Tide (the first synthetic laundry detergent), the historic research of Joseph Priestley, who identified oxygen, and the agricultural research of George Washington Carver. For more on the Landmark program, visit http://www.acs.org/landmarks.

ETHOS (Encouraging Technology and Hands On Science) was created by Bayer Corporation to further community outreach. A non-profit, ETHOS provides research-developed curriculum management and assists teachers in the areas of science education. It also offers a host of science activities for the community, such as science summer camps and field trips.

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