Exploring Chemistry at FAU: Lukas gave a Campus Tour for Future Scientists

Why do we use salt and not sugar to defrost our streets? This was just one of the intriguing questions that Lukas Santiago Diaz addressed as he guided 11th-grade students from Kaiser-Heinrich-Gymnasium Bamberg on a campus tour at FAU. Accompanied by Mrs. Günther and Mrs. Müller, the students began their visit in the lecture hall, where Lukas introduced them to the basics of chemistry studies, including lectures, exams, and the structure of the curriculum. After their “first lecture”, the group moved on to a laboratory, gaining insights into the practical work of a chemist. The tour illustrated the close connection between theory and practice in FAU’s chemistry program, helping students to better understand and appreciate the subject. The tour culminated with a simple thermodynamic explanation of why salt, not sugar, is used to de-ice streets, demonstrating the real-world applications of chemistry in everyday life.