[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/legacy-gift.jpg” caption=”Art student Karli Strohschein holds a plaque in front of the Science Society’s legacy gift to the Faculty of Science. The work of art, modelled after the periodic table of the elements, is called Zwitterion. Photo by Susan Bubak.”]Every year, the graduating class of the Science Society, which represents all undergraduate students in the Faculty of Science, presents a legacy gift to the Faculty. The annual gift is a symbol of their time within the Faculty and a personal reflection of their experience.

This year, the Science Society partnered with art students Karli Strohschein and Timothy Greening from the School of the Arts. Strohschein and Greening produced a unique piece of art called Zwitterion that will be hung in the main corridor of the Burke Science Building.

“The concept for Zwitterion came from three core areas of science: chemistry, physics and biology,” explains Strohschein. “Our idea was to layer them harmoniously without creating a hierarchy between them. The shape itself is the periodic table of the elements, and the lively, intricate drawings on the base layer represent life, be they molecules or microorganisms. The top translucent layers represent the ideas of scientists or scientific language. Some of these ideas change or evolve, and sometimes they can shape how generations view reality, as the progress of knowledge is always growing.”

Strohschein continued, “To me, this is a great inspiration for the students of science; there are endless opportunities to learn, create, discover and explore the new and unknown.”

John Capone, dean of the Faculty of Science, added, “Our undergraduate students are leaving us with more than one gift. They commissioned art students to produce this amazing piece of art, and our students themselves are the Faculty of Science legacy. As a Faculty, we are very proud of the accomplishments of these students and we wish those that are graduating a successful and happy future.”

The Science Society works to make the transition to university a smooth one for new students. Their enthusiasm for their role translates into the legacy gift and the pride they feel about belonging to the Faculty of Science at McMaster University.

“It is a way of leaving our mark on Science, and Zwitterion itself is a reflection of that time,” said psychology student Anthony Twynman, fourth-year representative on the Science Society executive. “I will be proud to say I was a McMaster science student!”