The student affiliate group of the American Chemical Society at RU (better known as the ChemClub!) recently started a new outreach program at the Radford Public Library to provide hands-on Chemistry activites for K-12 students in the community. The workshops are held the second Thursday of each month and each have a unique theme allowing children to experience the excitment of the chemistry around us.
February - Acids and Bases
For this month, students learned about the pH scale and the differences between acid, base, and neutral substances. Students also tested different house-hold items they might have in their own home with litmus paper to help predict which were acids and which were bases. In addition, students and parents were shown two demos that they can try at home including making their own indicators with red cabbage juice and making invisible ink with baking soda and grape juice.
December - Carbon dioxide
The kids learned about the properties and uses of carbon dioxide, with demos ranging from a mini-volcano, to dry ice, and to a magical inflating balloon. Participants leanred how to make their very own lava lamps using only a pop bottle, vegetable oil, water, food coloring, and alka seltzer tablets! Everyone had a blast, literally!
November - It's all on the surface - experiments with surface tension
Particpants leanred about the importance and unique properties related to the suface tension of liquids and solids, with demos ranging from making tie-dyed milk, preparing magic sand that hates water, changing the shape of water drops by changing the surface chemistry, and other activities. Dr. Webster showed all how simple earwax could move floating pepper on water and even extinguish fires!
October - Ubleck and other interesting materials
