Chemistry outreach: Saturday with a Scientist, December 14

The Department of Chemistry's Chemists in the Classroom Program, coordinated by Professor Kenneth Leopold and Graduate Student Scott Kleespies, is participating in the Bell Museum of Natural History Saturday with a Scientist event, which is scheduled for 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, December 14, at the museum, 10 Church Street, S.E.

With a number of hands-on experiments and interactive activities, scientists will discuss and teach young people about scientific inquiry. For one of the activities, participants will try to determine what's in a box without opening it using different methods of testing.

"This is what scientists try to do all of the time," said Leopold, "try to figure out as much as we can about things we can't see."

Other activities include testing household items to determine if they are acids or bases. One unknown sample will contain two substances, and participants will be challenged to identify what they are. Part of the afternoon will involve fun demonstrations, and the making of liquid nitrogen ice cream. Throughout the afternoon, a show-and-tell table with have a variety of interesting items such as crystals, drinking duck, Sterling engine, and molecular models.

Registration is required and can be made by calling 612-626-9660 or sending an email to belladmin@umn.edu. For additional information, go to Bell Museum's event calendar.