After completing a chapter on chemistry and physics, sixth grade Saratoga science students were able to see how science works right before their very eyes. Lynodell Basel, a local petrochemical company, came to Saratoga to demonstrate some very interesting experiments and presentations.

 
Rick Martino and Linda Kneller

The presentation began with a chemical reaction. Linda Kneller used hydrogen peroxide, soap and potassium iodide to produce a new substance (alias elephant toothpaste).

To see the movie click on the link below: Elephant Toothpaste Experiment

Chemical engineer Rick Martino demonstrated how gases react when their surrounding temperature changes. To demonstrate, he put a balloon into liquid nitrogen. After a few seconds, the balloon came out shriveled up and close to one-third its original size. When balloon was taken out of the liquid nitrogen it "re-inflated."

To see movies click on the links below: Balloon Experiment Banana Experiment Flower Experiment Extinguishing a Flame

After freezing a banana solid (pounding nails with it), shattering frozen flowers, and breaking a racquet ball on the floor, Saratoga students then made crazy-balls. By following the directions and measuring sodium silicate and isopropyl alcohol with graduated cylinders, all the students made their own bouncy ball .

Linda Kneller helps a student read a graduated cylinder.

After a fun day of Science experiments and some encouragement to give the field of Science a try when older, the students were quite impressed. Thank you to Lynodell Basel for your time bringing your program for us here at Saratoga School.

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