After watching demonstrations by Kitty Wagner, the “chemists for an evening” went to the laboratory to do activities supervised by volunteers from PACS, local industry, Princeton University and the community. They were able to develop a penny polish, make toothpaste, explore properties of polymers, and launch rockets. They could freeze flowers with liquid nitrogen and make ink, putty, and slime. They could have their face painted with the symbol of their favorite element. In addition, George Chin from the New Jersey State Police Forensics Laboratory showed how molds of footprints are made with new materials that are better than plaster of Paris, and how chemistry helps determine the distance from which a shot has been fired. Because the event was so close to Halloween, participants were invited to come dressed as their favorite element and compete in a costume contest.

 

Activities Night could not have been done without the help of many fine volunteers, and we extend our grateful thanks to them. They did a lot of work, but a parent’s thank-you message makes it all worthwhile. He reported that his son liked every activity and said, "This is the best day of my whole life!"