recommendations, or whatever, and I'll look forward to working on an independent study with him. I was lucky to be in a lab with Gretchen, Mark, and Jane. We all got along well and did a lot of cooking and stuff together outside of lab.
So you can see, I was in an ideal situation. Love, Libby
So you see, when I see the chemistry building1 see exciting possibilities: liberal education a t its best. Perhaps I'd best stop there. Said a humanist once of an overly enthusiastic talk by a chemist: ~ hought ~ to t be re. duced considerably, or oxidized completely. But remember one thing: Better things and better thoughts and better education for hetter living through chemistry.
cherniftry for kid/ Teaching Chemistry at the Pre-High School Level Andy S. W. S a e Department of Physical Science Eastern New Mexico University Portab% NM 88130
Chemistry is often viewed as a course that requires special intellectual talents and which is generally irrevelant to everyday life; chemistry is for the purist and the elitist.' Often chemistry means strange terminology, such as "molar", unpronounceable words, such as "phenolphthalein", bad smells, and explosions. Pre-high school teachers may atChemical Magic Demonstrations Literature
New
Title: Rainbow Colors
Title: Rainbow Colors
Materials: phenolphthalein, mnitrophenol, thymolphthalein ethyl alcohol, sulfuric acid. 8 Nsodium hydroxide Effect: One colored liquid changes into different colors when poured in ~everalcontainers.
Materials: red cabbage, citric acid. vinegar, baking soda,household ammonia. Dram'
Title: Welcome Poster
Title: Welcome Poster
Materials: 0.1 Mammonium thiacyanate, 0.1 Mferric chloride. Whatman #1 paper
Materials: Alophen pill (contains phenolphthalein),Windex spray, paper towel
United Stater Air Academy High School United States Air Academy. CO 80840
temot achemicalmaeic show to stimulate interest in science. without knowledge of what 5-amino-2,3-dihydro-1,4ohthalizine d i m e is. where to find it. and what safetv . -orecautions are necessary, they may decide the venture is not worth the trouble. Chemistry viewed in this way only reinforces the idea that it is understandable toonly a special few. In order to get across the idea that chemicals and chemical reactions are part of everyday life, the author has developed a series of demonstrations using familiar materials.= They nroduce similar effects and demonstrate the same chemical principles as some currently in the literature. They are safe enough " for teachers without extensive chemical hackeround and their students to use. A comparison of the demonstrations to those in the literature is shown in the table. If we want to expand chemistry activities a t the pre-high school level, we must dispel chemophobia among teachers, develop appropriate chemistry teaching materials for teachers, and promote the teachina- of the chemistrv of the real world to honchemists.
-
Kinderchem: A Visiting Science Program for the Early Elementary Classroom Rlchard D. Barnes
Effect: Red "welcome" appears when sprayed with liquid from a spray bottle. Title: Floaters
Title: Red. Whits. and Blue
Malerlals petroleum ether, rater. camon tetrachlor de merc.ry 500-ml grilo~awdcylinder
Materials: lamp oil (blue), milk, corn syrup, red food color, tall clear drinking glass
Effect: Column of immiscible liquid layers.
Raymond Wallers Co lege 9555 P ainf8elo Road C nc noall. Oh 45236
Imagine more than 1400 preschool, kindergarten, and first grade children being involved in hands-on science. The "Kinderchem" programs presented by the author involve both demonstrations and participating activities. These programs are about 45 minutes in length. Each presentation includes at least one activity that the children can do at home. Safety around chemicals is emphasized. The experiments drawn and adapted from several sources (1-6) include: Spray Pictures. School logas and American flags are prepainted
Title: Smoke Rings
Title: Holy Smoke!
Materials: concentrated ammonia, concentrated hydrochloric acid, Petri dish, box
Materials: household ammonia, muriatic acids, two plastic tumblers, glass pane, black cloth
Effect: White "smoke" appears from "nothing." .Dram and muriatic scid are potemially danpemus. me dlranlons on the label of oornmercial products must be carefullyread. They should be used under adult aupwvialon only.
56
edited by PATRICIAJ. SMITH
Journal of Chemical Education
onto absorbent white paper with aqueous solutions of KSCN, K4Fe(CNh and tannic acid. They are then sprayed with an iron(II1)solution. Silver Crystals. are grown by placing apiece of copper wire into a 0.1 MAgN03solution.
' Chem. Eng. News 1984, 62(19), 36.
Sae, A.S.W. "Chemical Magic from the Grocety Store", A.S.W. Sae, 1984.
copyright
Disappearing Blue is carried out with clear ~lasticscrewcap bottles (PVC) for safety. Secret Ink. The old lemon juice message trick still works well. We
developit by ironing the paper with a standard household iron. It is fast and easy. Paper Chromatography of magic marken. Mountains of Crystals. Supersaturated sodium acetate solution is poured onto a seed crystal. Collapsing Con introduces the idea that air exerts pressure. Balloon Power. Children blow up balloons as a mean8 of lifting books and other objects. The goal at the preschool level is not to teach chemistry but to show some of the fun and excitement of science and scientific inquiry. However, an explanation a t the appropriate level is provided for each experiment to avoid a magicshow atmosphere. The children are attentive and eager. They suggest explanations for the experiments and sometimes carry out experimental verifications. Frequently, they are surprised a t the
results. They enjoy most those experiments in which they actively participate. In fact, several classes requested a return visit later in the year. If one is to convey the excitement and fun of science, in general, and chemistry, in particular, it is important that the presenter have fun and enjoy doing the demonstrations. This creates a contagious atmosphere helpful to the success of this aspect of the program. A healthy dose of showmanship is also desirable. One should not underestimate the youngsters' interests or abilities. Get down with them and enjoy rather than talking down t o them. Literature Cited
131 Alvos. H.N.: Dutton.F. B."Tesfed Demonstrationsin Chcmistrv":DivisiondChemi-
Volume 63
Number 1 January 1986
57
