Kids and Chemistry celebrated a Spooktacular event on Thursday, October 26 at the Saint Louis Science Center. The theme was Spooky Chemistry- fizzing, bubbling and spectacular chemistry. Activities included using Jelly Marbles as vanishing ghost eggs. Jelly Marbles are superabsorbent polymers that refract light the same way as water, so they appear to vanish when placed in water. A disappearing ink activity was based on an acid-base reaction, and participants enjoyed writing secret messages.
Other activities involved making instant snow and breaking frozen flowers that become rigid and brittle when dipped in liquid nitrogen. The activities were topped off by a dry ice boiling cauldron. The event drew large crowds of children and adults who were intrigued by the various activities. Many thanks to Trang Truong and Michael Flaspole-Barnes for volunteering their time.
Reported by:
Reni Joseph
Michael prepares to shatter a flower frozen with liquid nitrogen
Trang prepares instant snow for curious onlookers
“Computers and the physics of complex biological systems”
