Demonstrations
Oscillating Clock
Through this reaction, students get to experience first hand a phenomenon that still puzzles scientists to this day. Combined in one beaker are: starch, hydrogen peroxide, and potassium iodate. In front of their eyes the solution changes color from a rich, deep blue, to colorless, then back to deep blue again (with a periodicity of about 1 minute). [Details]
Gun Cotton
Although this little ball of soft goodness looks innocuous, apply a tiny spark (or heat source of any kind) and the fun begins! Gun Cotton is simply household cotton that has had specific sites on its molecular chain converted into an explosive! Reminiscent of TNT, the gun cotton will burn extremely fast. It all combusts into gases, leaving NO ASH! This is one of the students' favorites as THEY get to explode the cotton! [Details]
Slime
They see it everywhere and how could we leave them wanting? Student's get the opportunity to make slime of the color of their choice. This is a wonderful introduction into polymers which is why it is a staple in most classroom demos. [Details]
Invisible Fingerprints
Shows like CSI and The New Detectives have brought a new wave of interest into forensic science. With this demonstration, students turn an otherwise blank index card into a menagerie of clues. The Ninhydrine spray will allow your students to become detectives for a day! [Details]
Silver Mirror Test
This demo takes the students back to the very origins of chemistry itself. Otherwise known as the Tollens' Test, volunteers will combine AgNO3 with dextrose (both are colorless solutions ) in a volumetric flask. As the volunteer swirls the flask, students get to observe silver being plated on the flask! Alchemy at its finest! [Details]
Temperature
We make slime, we blow things up, but what demonstration wouldn't be complete without playing with liquid nitrogen and dry ice? Students get the chance to freeze and shatter bananas/flowers/racquetballs and anything else they can think of. This is probably the demonstration favored most by the students.