CCS Science Department Secures ACS Hach Grant

Chattanooga Christian School’s upper school science department has secured a Hach High School Chemistry Grant from the American Chemical Society. Over the past two years, the science department at CCS has applied for and been awarded two Hach grants which fund resources, activities, and lab equipment for high school chemistry classes.

This year the science department allocated the grant funds for scientific instruments, including a gas chromatograph, which is used for determining the types and amounts of different chemicals in a mixture. Last year’s funds enabled the expanding department to purchase some specialty glassware kits for student laboratories. Students used the equipment to make and purify ethyl acetate, the primary ingredient in many brands of nail polish remover. 

“It is our hope,” says chemistry teacher, Dr. Dan Zuidema, “that in using the different types of instruments we acquire, students will learn not only the scientific principles behind how the instruments work, but also how instrumental analysis is one of the most important tools available to a scientist.”

Dr. Zuidema is one member of the science department at CCS, and his connection with Covenant College as professor of Chemistry and Department chair has enabled CCS to add dual-enrollment chemistry and physical science courses through Covenant College to its curriculum. In addition to these courses, CCS currently offers Advanced Placement Biology and will offer AP Physics beginning in the 2015-16 school year.