WCU STEM outreach fosters learning and inspire children

Western Carolina University was invaded on Sept. 25 by younger than usual students. Around 860 children, grades 3-12, from 13 schools across the region were enjoying a chemistry magic show, learned to operate small robots and interacted with the larger dog robot, learned fun math, crime scenes, birds, brains, DNA and many other science activities. […]

The seasons and their effect on mental health

The sun has many positive impacts on our lives every day, including helping us grow plants and telling us the time of day. But the sun also helps people’s moods, preventing seasonal affective disorder. Seasonal affective disorder, or SAD, is a type of depression that comes around during different seasons, according to the United Kingdom […]

A WCU professor’s small step for making space travel history

After many decades, humans are exploring the stars again, and one WCU professor got the chance of a lifetime to help them reach the Moon again! Dr. Amy Fagan is a geology professor who also teaches astronomy courses. It’s clear from the LEGO lunar lander on her desk that her interest in the project goes […]

‘Cooking’ up the future of biotechnology

Apadaca’s 353 chemistry lab is home to lots of research equipment, chemical substances along with hardworking students and faculty.   Dr. Channa De Silva, chemistry professor, is the faculty advisor for one section of lab. The focus is on nanotechnology. What is nanotechnology?  As De Silva explains, nanotechnology is not new but today its applications can bring […]

Remarkable new biomedical research at WCU

WCU students working with Dr. Channa De Silva, chemistry professor, are involved in important research. Their focus is developing a method for making cancers and cancer cells visible by using nanotechnology. “It is a type of technology that deals with science and engineering aspects of materials at the nanometer region,” De Silva explains. Nanoparticles are […]

Can cloud seeding help with future droughts?

With the environmental crisis worsening, more places will be impacted by harsh weather conditions. AP reported that if the planet heats up an additional 3.4 ℉ (2 ℃), future generations will experience “five times the floods, storms, drought and heatwaves, according to a group of scientists at the IPCC.” Aside from the world’s governments coming […]