January 13, 2020
Who:
Current Miss America and STEM advocate Camille Schrier is visiting the Science Museum of Virginia this week during her Southern Virginia Road Trip.
A life-long science lover, Schrier graduated from Virginia Tech in 2018 with dual bachelor of science degrees in biochemistry and systems biology. The 24 year old is in the process of obtaining a doctor of pharmacy degree from Virginia Commonwealth University.
Schrier was crowned Miss Virginia on June 22, 2019, and Miss America on December 19, 2019. Winning the top scholarship award for her talent, she impressed the judges with a chemistry demonstration of the catalytic decomposition of hydrogen peroxide, a live science presentation the Museum conducts for guests and school groups regularly.
Schrier’s Social Impact Initiative is “Mind Your Meds: Drug Safety and Abuse Prevention from Pediatrics to Geriatrics.” She will spend her Miss America term helping reduce opioid abuse and medication errors, and highlighting the importance of taking medications correctly.
What:
As part of her Miss America Year of Service to make a difference in communities across the country, Schrier will be back in Richmond on January 15. While at the Museum, she will meet with staff to learn more about the organization’s efforts to promote and encourage STEM learning before talking to Carver Elementary School students who are visiting as part of a Blue Sky Fund excursion. Her science presentation to the 4th graders will include her now-famous multi-colored, growing-foam “elephant toothpaste” demonstration. (Please note: this is a private demonstration for the school group only.)
Why:
The Museum and Schrier have the same mission: to inspire people to connect to the science that is all around them. With more than 500,000 guests visiting last year, and nearly 67,000 of those being schoolchildren, the Museum provides the perfect location for Schrier to share her STEM passion and talents. In addition, because the Museum conducts chemistry demonstrations often, the supplies Schrier needs for her presentation are readily available.
When:
Wednesday, Jan. 15, from 10:15 to 11 a.m.
Where:
Science Museum of Virginia, 2500 W. Broad St., Richmond, VA 23220
How:
Media interested in interviewing Schrier and photographing/filming her private science demonstration should arrive by 10 a.m. Once in the Museum's Rotunda, media will be directed to the demonstration location. Interviews with Schrier may happen after she completes her presentation with the school group.