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Visitors add drops of copper sulfate solution onto a steel nail. They observe the nail change color from silver to brown as the copper plates onto the nail.

Visitors test solutions of water, sugar, salt, and hydrochloric acid and the solids salt and sugar. They clip leads from the hand generator to wires immersed in each substance.

Visitors prepare six solutions combining vinegar and ammonia that range incrementally from acid (all vinegar) to base (all ammonia).

Learners experiment with a 2-liter plastic bottle containing water and four “divers." The divers consist of open, transparent containers with the opening points downward.

Learners compare the properties of two balls that appear identical. One ball bounces, while the other ball "thuds." The “bounce” ball is made of the polymer polybutadiene (-C4H4-).

Learners observe a sealed container holding a clear colorless liquid. They shake the container and the fluid turns blue. When allowed to sit for a few moments, the fluid turns colorless again.

Visitors observe three beakers. One beaker contains an egg immersed in vinegar. Visitors observe carbon dioxide gas escaping from the shell as the calcium carbonate reacts with the vinegar.

Visitors observe a bottle with a balloon attached around the mouth. The bottle contains a solution of yeast, sugar, and water.

Learners mix a solution of luminol with hydrogen peroxide to produce a reaction that gives off blue light.

Learners observe a bottle containing water and oil. They are invited to pick up the bottle and mix the contents together.

Learners observe and compare the sizes of three toy “growing” crocodiles made from water-absorbent polymers. One is it its original state, dry, hard, and about 10cm long.

Visitors observe a graduated cylinder with a golf ball floating about halfway in liquid. The bottom half of the cylinder contains a concentrated solution of salt.

Learners observe a tank of water containing cans of diet and regular sodas. The diet sodas float and the regular sodas sink. All the cans contain the same amount of liquid and the same amount of air.

Learners investigate the properties of the liquids in two bottles. One contains layers of oil and water, and one contains oil, water, and soap.

Visitors observe a tray holding a crystal-covered brick. The crystals were created by evaporation of a solution containing liquid bluing, ammonia, and salt.

Visitors mix urea with water in one flask and mix calcium chloride with water in another flask. They observe that the urea flask gets cold and the calcium chloride flask gets hot.

Visitors mix water and sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) in a large flask. They then add citric acid to the mixture and stopper the flask. The resulting reaction creates carbon dioxide gas.

Visitors separate a mixture of pebbles, salt crystals, and wood shavings by adding water and pouring the mixture through a strainer.

Visitors incrementally increase the amount of iodate in three different test tubes containing the same amount of a starch solution.

This is written as a display, but can easily be adapted to a hands-on activity. Learners observe and shake containers of shiny liquids.