My favourite "chemistry experiment" as a child was making fizz by adding
bicarbonate of soda to vinegar. I also liked using vinegar or bicarb to
change the colour of berries or solutions of natural dyes like red cabbage.
When we think of illusions, we usually think of visual illusions. It is fun
to show children that people perceive tastes and smells differently often due
to genetic differences. There are some smells like fresia which some people
(e.g. me) can't smell and there is that bitter compound (can't remember its
name) that some people can't taste. I, unfortunately can taste it.
When working with children I have found it fun to ask them to speculate about
hy hamsters and gerbils don't die when they fall off tables. It seems they
should because if relative size were the important factor (which they tend to
think it is) it would be like us falling off a skyscraper. The physics of
forces is rather different though. With help they can work it out for
themselves and you see one of those wonderful "eureka moments".
Lesley
>===== Original Message From "psci-com: on public engagement with science"
<[log in to unmask]> =====
>Hi
>
>I am a PhD student in Chemitry but am suppose to be doing some outreach work
>with some children (aged most likely under 10) on the, "Science of Harry
>Potter". One subject I have to talk about is alchemy and I wanted to make it
>as interactive as possible for the children by carrying out some
>experiments.
>
>Does anyone have any suggestions for simple experiments? I have had a look
>on the internet but am looking for experiments that don't need the presence
>of a fume hood, bunsen burner or complicated equipement as I am going to be
>giving the talk in a museum lecture theatre.
>
>Cheers
>
>Katherine
>
>PS The other topics I am suppose to be covering are:
>- illusions
>- magnetism/levitation
>- mechanics of flight
>- magical creatures
>- herbal remedies
>I already have some simple hands on experiments and talks for most of these
>subjects but any other suggestions would be great.
>
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Lesley Newson
School of Psychology
University of Exeter
Washington Singer Laboratories
Perry Road
Exeter, UK EX4 4QG
Website: http://www.people.ex.ac.uk/ln202
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