This week, our enthusiastic VAMPY chemists have been diving deep into the world of solutions, mixtures, and compounds. Today’s challenge? A mystery mixture that our campers had to separate and identify.
The young scientists brainstormed a variety of separation techniques. Ideas flew around the lab, from using a Bunsen burner for boiling to employing filtration with filter paper. Some even suggested dissolving substances in hydrochloric acid! With careful supervision and guidance, our students put these methods to the test in the chemistry laboratory at Ogden Hall.
As you can see in the photos, our chemists are proudly sporting their personalized lab coats. Last week, we explored the fascinating world of chemical bonds through tie-dye. The students pre-soaked their lab coats in sodium carbonate to raise the fabric’s pH, which helped the dye molecules bond permanently with the fibers. It was a fantastic way to learn about molecular reactivity and behavior while creating stylish lab coats!
Stay tuned for more exciting photos next week, as our campers will be putting on a magic show to show off all of the skills they have learned over these three weeks!
Our class is centered around a big question: “How can we find, make, and recycle the substances we need to live on and beyond Earth?” Over these three weeks, our students will explore all aspects of chemistry to find the answer.
