Chemistry in Action
IYC Global Partner the Dow Chemical Company and The Franklin Institute Science Museum in Philadelphia have created three videos aimed to encourage at-home participation in easy, safe, and fun experiments that highlight the power of chemistry.
With host Ken Mystery, scientists Derrick Pitts, from the Franklin Institute, and Katie Hunt, from Dow, demonstrate the following engaging experiments:
- Baking Soda Volcano – recommended for grades 3-4
This is a classic, fun experiment: when baking soda and vinegar are mixed, the vinegar reacts with the baking soda to form carbonic acid, which breaks down into carbon dioxide and water, making bubbles and foam!
> view video - The Chemistry of Blood – recommended for grades 5-8
Human bodies are amazing and the chemistry within is just as intriguing. In this experiment, the scientists explain the concepts of blood compatibility. For example, why is it that if you have Type A blood, you can only receive Type A or Type O blood in a transfusion, and if you have Type B, you can only receive Type B or Type O blood. Or, why is it that if you have Type AB, you can receive any blood type, and if you have Type O blood, you can only receive Type O, but you can give blood to anyone! > view video
- Just for the Sport of It - recommended for high school level
In this video, students are shown how to “Make science work for you and improve your game.” By exploring the law of energy and conservation, students see how these principles of physics are essential to athletes.
> view video
Sit back and enjoy the shows!
Check out this document Celebrate Chemistry (pdf) for a quick summary of all 3 experiments and to help you plan your own.
Have fun and Celebrate Chemistry!
activity featured Apr 20, 2011