The Department of Chemistry is hosting a celebration of National Chemistry Week Oct. 17-21. The theme for this years celebration is Solving Mysteries Through Chemistry, a tribute to forensic chemistry in our everyday lives.

The week kicks off with atrivia night at 7 p.m. onOct. 17 at Magill Hall Room 217. Compete for fabulous prizes and bragging rights. You don’t need to be a chemistry genius to compete and have fun, as many of the questions will focus around chemistry but will be heavily influenced by popular culture. Free pizza and snacks will be served.

A scavenger hunt will take place at 6 p.m. on Oct. 18 in Magill Hall Room 218. This event is a hybrid of a traditional scavenger hunt and a murder mystery. Participants have two hours to solve riddles, gather forensic evidence and crack the case.

A Forensic Scientists’ panel will be held at noon on Oct. 19 in Rhodes Hall Room 121. Forensic scientists from different fields will speak about their education and experiences, and answer questions. Panelists include Emily Smelser, criminalist with the Missouri State Highway Patrol Crime Lab; Dr. Christine Ladwig, former forensic pathologist assistant and assistant professor of business law at Southeast; Justin Owens, criminalist with the Missouri State Highway Patrol Crime Lab; Lindsay Lambert, criminalist with the Missouri State Highway Patrol Crime Lab; and Cary Dunavan, detective corporal and supervisorof the scientific investigation unit with the Cape Girardeau Police Department.

On Oct. 20, try to solve a crime in a movie using just the evidence the movie provides at Mystery Movie Forensic Analysis. This event starts at 7 p.m. in Rhodes Hall Room 121. Work with a team to solve a crime as it unfolds in a classic mystery movie. Snacks and drinks will be provided.

The week concludes with a Mole Day Celebration at noon on Oct. 21 in the Magill Hall atrium. Mole Day is celebrated by chemists across the country on Oct. 23. Join Southeast’s early celebration and enjoy chemistry demos, games, swag and treats, and find out what the mole is all about.

For more information about these events and National Chemistry Week, visithttp://faculty.semo.edu/kgottlieb/ncw.html. Questions about the events should be directed to Dr. Kelli Gottlieb atkgottlieb@semo.edu.