Saturday Morning at the Lab

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To join in the festivities for National Chemistry Week(just a little bit late), The Department of Chemistry here at EMU hosted "Saturday Morning at the Lab". An event designed to bring together local youngsters and the science of chemistry. This is a chance for these young people to see chemistry at work, and discover answers to questions like:

• How cold is liquid nitrogen anyway?
• How many colors are combined to create purple grape Kool Aid?
• How does slime work and how do you make it?
• Can you really put a needle into a balloon without popping the balloon?
• Can you really use cabbage juice as an acid base indicator? How?
• How can I make gold colored paper with a common spice?

Two demonstration rooms were set up for shows such as 'chemical magic', 'liquid nitrogen' and even an 'electric pickle'. Another demonstration showed how a single dye could be used to create a rainbow of colors with various fabrics.

Along with the demonstrations, there were many activity stations set up to allow our visitors to explore the concept of chromatography, make worms in a cylinder, create colorful butterflies and make slime. There was even a table where they could create, and eat, liquid nitrogen ice cream.

This project seemd to be an overwhelming success, thanks to the hard work of all the volunteers from our students, staff and the Chemistry Club here at EMU, the great effort by Joe Mason and his team who prepared all of the equipment and chemicals, and the massive coordination effort of Dr. Donald Phillips who pulled this all together into a fun and informative morning for all who attended.

Please enjoy the pictures below, and thanks to all the parents and kids who came out to be with us.