Outreach

Ramping Up the Disappearing Rainbow with the Assassin’s Water Bottle

Tom Kuntzleman | Tue, 09/16/2025 - 09:44

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What happens when chemistry and illusion collide? In The Disappearing Rainbow, a simple acid–base demonstration transforms into a spellbinding performance. With a single pour, colorless liquids bloom into a vibrant rainbow—then vanish in an instant. Now, with the arrival of the “Assassin’s water bottle,” this classic demo gets a modern twist that makes the magic easier (and cleaner) than ever.

Not so Green Up Close: a Peek at a dyed Chicago River Sample

Dean Campbell | Sat, 05/17/2025 - 22:36

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Light absorbance and fluorescence were studied for a sample of the Chicago River that had been dyed green for St. Patrick’s Day. The sample had weak green fluorescence, showing that the intense green appearance of the river was in part due to the long path length of light through the water. The ability of the green color to partition into 1-octanol was also explored.

Elevating the Coke and Mentos Experiment

Tom Kuntzleman | Mon, 04/07/2025 - 13:45

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Ryan Johnson and I took a trip to the top of Pikes Peak to study the Coke and Mentos experiment. And we had a few surprises along the way...

Picture Perfect Chemistry

Tom Kuntzleman | Sat, 10/19/2024 - 12:17

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A Picture-Perfect activity for National Chemistry Week 2024!

Fluorescence Rocks! Exploring Glowing Sodalite

Dean Campbell | Wed, 08/21/2024 - 12:41

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Syenite rocks containing sodalite that fluoresce yellow have been found on Lake Superior beaches in recent years and are of interest to collectors. The fluorescence of this mineral, which can be found in other localities, can be shown in classrooms and studied spectroscopically. Its structure can also be modeled with LEGO bricks, enabling further classroom connections.

Mechanochemistry with Phenolphthalein and Base

Dean Campbell | Wed, 07/24/2024 - 17:11

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Grinding solid colorless phenolphthalein indicator and solid colorless magnesium hydroxide base can produce a reaction that causes the mixture to turn pink.

The Chemistry of Water Reveal Coloring Books

Tom Kuntzleman | Tue, 07/16/2024 - 07:01

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How do Melissa & Doug’s “Water WOW!” Water Reveal coloring books work? Let's do some experiments to find out!

Using LEGO bricks and paper springs to illustrate helical chemical structures

Dean Campbell | Sat, 06/29/2024 - 13:56

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Helical structures can be built from media such as LEGO bricks and paper. These structures can be used to model helical structures in chemistry. These include circularly polarized light and various helical biomolecules.

Exploring Color Separation in Salting-Out Experiments

Tom Kuntzleman | Sat, 05/04/2024 - 07:44

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Adding dyes to salting out experiments can create a variety of interesting color effects as the dyes differentially dissolve in the aqueous and organic layers. Can this differential solubility of dyes be explained using intermolecular forces as a guide?

The Chemistry of Pharaoh's Serpent with Calcium Gluconate

Tom Kuntzleman | Wed, 02/28/2024 - 13:59

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Pharaoh's serpent is the name of a very interesting chemical reaction that produces a snake-like foam. Unfortunately, it requires the use of a toxic mercury compound. Explore this very similar reaction that can be achieved quite simply by using fuel tablets and calcium gluconate tablets and learn a lot about the chemistry that is involved!