6046 - Chemistry Matters: Making the Invisible Visible!
In-Person Course | Registration opens 9/8/2026 10:00 AM EDT
This course will take chemistry “out of the textbook” and into your life whether you are an avid student of science or have not given a thought to chemistry since high school. Chemistry is the study of the physical, chemical and nuclear properties and changes of matter and the accompanying energy changes. The universe and everything in your life is made of matter and energy. Understanding chemistry serves as the gateway to understanding the other physical and natural sciences that influence and inform our past, present and future: geology, oceanography, physics, astronomy, botany, zoology, neuroscience, the medical sciences and technology. It is the science of everything that matters!
Through relatable examples, thought-provoking anecdotes and awe-inspiring facts, the instructor provides an opportunity to discover more about the world in which we live. You may even gain new perspectives on your own life experiences.
This course will consist of four sessions:
- Molecules of Life: Proteins, carbohydrates, fats, DNA & RNA, vitamins and minerals and the chemistry of cooking.
- Periodic Tales: Gems, polymers, colors of hydrangeas, art, conservation and more.
- First Ladies of Science: Innovation, breakthroughs and lasting legacies.
- Chemistry On the Horizon: “Forever chemicals,” synthetic drugs, gene therapy and energy (fission, fusion, and renewables)
This course will be offered in-person at George Mason University.
Reva Savkar
Reva Savkar was born in India, earned an MS in organic chemistry, got married and moved to the U.S. While raising her two children, she taught chemistry part-time at Northern Virginia Community College. In 1989 she earned an MS in computer science at Virginia Tech and joined NVCC full-time. She taught chemistry and computer science for 28 years and received numerous teaching awards. She retired in 2017.