Drs Bryan Hill and Mark Berry with donated pennies

“We are overwhelmed by the response,” says Dr. Mark Berry, professor and chair of BU’s Chemistry department. “People young and old have been dropping off pennies in bags, jars and by the handful. A senior’s home in Brandon even held a donation drive. To everyone, we want to say ‘thank you’.”

Each year, BU professors use thousands of pennies in science experiments and demonstrations. School children marvel as the coins are electroplated with zinc then heated, turning from copper to ‘silver’ and finally ‘gold’. But the federal government has stopped production and is phasing out the penny, which prompted the appeal from the Science Faculty.

“We will use these coins to kindle a child’s interest in the sciences,” says Dr. Berry.

Pennies can still be dropped off at the Dean’s Office in the Brodie Building, Rm 172.

Brandon University, founded in 1899, promotes excellence in teaching, research, creation and scholarship; educating students so that they can make a meaningful difference as engaged citizens and leaders.

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“We turn pennies into silver, then gold,” says Dr. Mark Berry, professor and chair of BU’s Chemistry department, “just like the alchemists of old. But our supply of pennies is running out because the government has stopped production.”

Each year, hundreds of school children marvel as BU Chemistry profs electroplate pennies with zinc, then apply heat, turning the copper silver and finally gold. “Kids touring the University find this demonstration spectacular,” says Dr. Berry.

In the past, BU’s Science department has purchased pennies to use but is now asking for donations as the Canadian government is removing the coin from circulation.

“Use that loose change to kindle a child’s interest in the sciences,” says Dr. Berry. ”We appreciate any and all donations of pennies.”

Coins can be dropped off at the Dean’s Office in the Brodie Building, Rm 172.

Brandon University, founded in 1899, promotes excellence in teaching, research, creation and scholarship; educating students so that they can make a meaningful difference as engaged citizens and leaders.

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