Last week in honor of National Mole Day, which is observed on the 23rd of October between 6:02 a.m. and 6:02 p.m. in honor of Avogadro’s number (6.02×10²³), chemistry students at The Episcopal School of Dallas held their own Mole Beauty Pageant!
Not to be confused with its furry friend of the same name, Mole is the basic measurement unit in Chemistry which is basically the mass of one molecule of any compound or an element. Avogadro’s number, the inspiration for the “holiday,” defines the number of atoms in one mole. The celebration of National Mole Day was started to spark an interest in the subject of Chemistry and to honor the invention of the Avogadro number.
“The mole beauty pageant idea is one I came up with years ago to give students something fun and different to do that is connected to their study of chemistry,” said ESD Upper School Chemistry Teacher Walt Warner. Sophomores were given the optional assignment to submit their moles, made out of fabric, clay, ceramic, or paper. The judging was done based on creativity, craftsmanship, consistency of theme, and a short essay on their mole's favorite element. Prizes were then awarded for best-in-show, second and third place, most creative, and best craftsmanship.
Visit ESD's Instagram to View Winning Moles
The following sophomores were recognized for their mole creations in the pageant:
“Cal” by Addison Page
- Best of Show
- First Place: Creativity
- First Place: Craftmanship
“Apollo” by Kate Ryder, Daly Ryder, and Simran Malhotra
- Second Place Overall
- Second Place: Creativity
- Second Place: Craftmanship
“Namoleon Dynamite” by Easterly Yeaman
- Third Place Overall
- Second Place: Creativity
- Third Place: Craftmanship
“Cowboy” by Abby Pickens
- Best Essay Overall
- Third Place: Creativity
“Mollie” by Elliot Lovitt
- Third Place: Craftmanship
“Greta Texa Mole” by Stevenie Nussbaumer
“Origamimole” by Tristan Hakert
“Maria” by Brayden Girata
- Honorable Mention: Creativity
“Stella” by Cara Lichty
- Honorable Mention: Creativity
“Moleja Boy” by Ava Loftus
- Honorable Mention: Creativity
“Razmatazz” by Gabby McClintick
- Honorable Mention: Craftsmanship
Special thanks to Mr. Warner for this fun learning activity and shoutout to the students’ impressive creativity!
Learn more about National Mole Day here.