We at Steve Spangler Science have demonstrated Exploding Pumpkins for over 15 years. This year, we tried experimenting with small and large pumpkins to see which one would produce the biggest bang and test our timing skills. With the help of the morning and afternoon 9News anchors, we carved a few jack-o-lanterns to celebrate Halloween. You decide – in which segment did we do our best carving work?
Editor’s Note: This experiment was presented for educational and demonstration purposes only. We DO NOT recommend trying this experiment in the classroom or at home unless you have had proper training. Do NOT do this at home.
We just can’t get enough of dry ice at Halloween. It’s perfect for many bubbling, spooky science activities. One favorite demonstration is the Dry Ice Crystal Ball Bubble. This activity will have your audience oohing, ahhing, then asking to do it again. First, purchase a few pounds of dry ice at your local grocery store. Bring gloves and a styrofoam cooler with you. Be careful – dry ice is -110 degrees below zero and can burn skin.
Cut a strip of cloth about 1 inch wide and 18 inches long (an old t-shirt works well). Soak the cloth in a solution of Dawn dish soap or use your favorite recipe for making bubble solution. Make sure that the cloth is completely soaked. Use a smooth-lipped bowl and fill it half way with warm water. Using gloves or tongs, add enough dry ice to the
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Halloween is right around the corner and there is nothing better than to mix up some dry ice concoctions for your Halloween party. Grocery stores sell dry ice, especially around this time of the year, so call around or visit the customer service desk in your local grocery store and ask if they carry it. Dry ice is -110 degrees and can burn if it comes in contact with your skin, so plan ahead and bring a cooler and gloves with you to the store. Also keep in mind that you must be over 18 to purchase dry ice.
Dry ice goes from solid to gas in a process called sublimation. It skips the liquid phase. Drop some dry ice in a cylinder filled part way with warm water and listen to the oohs and ahhs. The water burps and bubbles
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Halloween is our favorite holiday at the Spangler labs. Science and Halloween go hand in hand and there is nothing better than turning off the lights and bringing out spooky, glowing science to make all of the kids ooh and ahh. Whether you are planning a Halloween party, looking for unique decorations, or just wanting to have some fun with your own kids at home, here are some glowing activities you can do.
Phosphorescence vs. Fluorescence Some materials glow after all the lights are turned off. This type of glow is called phosphorescence. A phosphorescent material absorbs and slowly re-emits energy in the form of light. Our Glow Powder used below is phosphorescent.
Some glowing materials will only work in the presence of ultraviolet light. These materials have a chemical property called fluorescence. Fluorescent materials absorb energy …
Halloween Science and the Ellen DeGeneres Show seem to go hand in hand. I was excited to get the call from Ellen’s producers last week with an invite to be a guest on her ever-popular Halloween Show. We’ve practiced and practiced our new demos for the show (no, we can’t spill the beans right now), and I think we’ll have a few surprises for her and the studio audience. Of course, everyone tunes in to see Ellen’s costume. My only hope is that it’s not flammable… and that’s all I can say.
Find out when the Ellen DeGeneres Show is on in your area.
