Reaching Out to the Next Generation of Scientists
Researchers used elephant toothpaste and diet soda to explain catalysis to local students
Aaron Appel
(Photo by Andrea Starr | Pacific Northwest National Laboratory)
The Center for Molecular Electrocatalysis participated in the Salmon Summit in May 2010, with the activity "Green Power!" and "Water Chemistry." The Salmon Summit is an event at which children from local schools release salmon that they have raised in the classroom, and then they participate in a variety of activities to teach them about salmon as well as our natural resources.
Molly O'Hagan, Brandon Galan, Aaron Appel and Amy Groves from PNNL participated in teaching kids about catalysts. They were shown how a catalyst accelerates a reaction by observing the release of oxygen when potassium iodide is added to hydrogen peroxide. Soap is added for a great effect that is otherwise known at "Elephant Toothpaste." In addition, the scientists showed the catalysis of CO2 release from Diet Coke by the addition of Mentos. Another session demonstrated proton transfer reactions.
Groups of 20-30 kids were at each interactive presentation.
The expressions on the kid's faces showed how much fun they had. All of them were ready to give up other pursuits and become chemists by the end of the day!
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