The Chemistry Magic and Safety Show Brian D. Bergmeier and Susan R. Saunders Garden City Senior High School, 1412 N. Main. Garden City, KS 67846
The Chemistry Magic and Safety Show was developed by Brian D. Bergmeier and Susan R. Saunders, March 1981, a t Garden City Senior High School, Garden City, Kansas. This "show" attempts to demonstrate the mysterious wonders of chemistrv and vet to emphasize the relevance of t h w wonders t o life i n a highly techiical society. Since proper laboratory facilities are not readily available in intermediate educational facilities, elementary schools, and educators, often emphasize science lessons using textbooks rather than actual scientific investigation and experimentation. Students often become bored and disenchanted with science before they enter specialized science disciplines a t the secondary level. Because these students are at an impressionable age, presentations such as those described here compensate for the lack of appropriate materials. Science in secondarv institutions are declining .- - - - ~enrollments ~ drastically. I t is our responsihility;as educators, to s t i m u l a ~ and motivate the minds of those individuals who will someday be an integral part of our sophisticated and advanced technology. H. J. Hausman states the importance of scientific experimentation in elementary schools. Science may well be the suhiect "best adapted to help younger children develop criticalthinking abilities, positive attitudes toward their environment, and an understanding of the world they live in!' If this is so, then additional classroom time should he devoted to science in elementary schools, with relatively less emphasis on reading or listening and more on doing, or "hands on." Also, i t seems feasible that the science content of materials used in reading instruction could he increased to expose young children to the methods of ~ c i e n c e . ~ According to Mr. Hausman, "the basic processes used in science-observing, describing, comparing, classifying, measuring, using numbers, interpreting evidence, inferring, predicting, experimenting-are such fundamental skills that should he developed during the formative years in an activity-based science program!' The Chemistry Magic and Safety Show is an attempt to stimulate this necessary and fundamental need in ouriociety. Its purposes are threefold: to stimulate an interest in science a t a most critical time, to educate, and to entertain. ~
~
'
Svnoosls . . It should he understood that acertain degreeof"theatrics" is involved in the presentationofa"show" of this nature. Although this not required, acertain enhancement and enrichment on the childrens' part can he realized. The following demonstrations were utilized during the course of presentation of The Chemistry Magic and Safety Show. The names of the individual presentations were derived by the developers and were in no way a part or segment of a previously published work.
4) Soft Water-Hard
Water: "Soft" water is mysteriously changed into "hard" water. 5) Endothermic: Two solids are mixed together. An endothermic reaction results. A Norence flask freezes to a small sheet of plywood. 6) BakineBrownies: "Brownies" are oroduced from suear and concentraied sulfuric acid. A t rhc some rime, a colorful';imed clock reaction produees"orange juier"and"purpie Kool-Aid"'which keeps disappearing? tConsequenrly, the "brownies" burn t u a crisp!) I ) Making a Mountain Out Of A Molehill: A small "molehill" of ammonium dichromate is turned into a heautiful, raging, miniature volcano. Caution: the product of combustion is a suspected carcinogen. 8) ~. Flare: A heautiful "flare" is oroduced hv a reaction between alum i n u m rnetnl and sudium peroxide. 9) Thp Atom Bomb-Energy of The Sun: The great amount of energy contained within augar bonds is released when a mixture of potassium ehlorate and granulated sugar are mixed in equal proportions, producing a large flamethat leaps from a three-pound coffee can, accom~aniedby a column of smoke that closely resembles a "mushr~om"clo"d. The safety of the participants and audience is of utmost importance in a presentation of this nature. Participants should w e a r safetv glasses a n d l a b coats. The audience comfortable distance, usually a should he kept a t minimum of ten feet. Air circulation is also a kev factor and should be kept in mind a t all times. A well-ventilated area should he selected for a presentation such as this. A high school laboratory class is a very workable solution to this problem, where fume hoods, fire extinguishers, and the like are readily available. In our situation, after the conclusion of our "show," all students are removed to another location in the building for a question and answer session. In relating to the students questions, de-emphasis is strongly recommended when questions arise concerning components of the various demonstrations. Rather, emphasis is placed heavily on concepts, observations, and most importantly, safety. Encouragement is given to the children to apply their "new found" knowledge and curiosity in a constructive manner. A general "procedure" for each individual demonstration can he found in the September 1981 issue of Chem 13News, a publication of the University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, with the exception of the "orange juice" clock reaction and the "grape Kool-Aid" " blue hottle reaction. These procedures, as well as detailed implementation of many s e m e n t s of the presentation, can be obtained from the deveiopers. copie;are free on iequest with a self-addressed, stamped envelope. Inauires should he sent to: Brian Beremeiei, chemist6 ~nstn;dor,Garden City Senior High ~ c h & 1412 N. Main, Garden City, KS 67846.
a ;cry
1) Spontaneous Surprise: This demonstration involves a practical
application of Bernoulli's Equation. A paint can is filled with methane gas and ignited. After a duration of several minutes, the lid of the can is blown off with a loud "bang." 2) Extinguishing a Crease Fire: A column of fire approximatelysix feet -~~ high evolves when a stream of distilled water is aimed at -..~ ignited paraffin. 3) Jaws Jr.-Boy In A Boot: AMhoy"is placed in a small "hoat" on a lake; lightning strikes the boat, the hoat ignites, and Jaws Jr. eats the "boy." n - ~
~
~~
~~
'
Hausman, H. J., "Choosing a Science Rogram f a the Elementary School," Council for Basic Education, Washington, D.C., 1976 Jones. Lyle V., "Achievement Test Scores in Mathematics and Science," Science. 213, 412 (1981). See n. 4 4.. ~ . ..footnote .. ...1. -'Thanks to Dr. Clark Bricker. Chemistry Professor. University of Kansas, for his contribution concerning the "clock reaction" and the "blue bottle" reaction
.
Volume 59 Number 6 June 1982
529
