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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.

In this chemistry demonstration, learners will discover that phenolphthalein is a chemical that displays different colors depending on the acidity or basicity of the environment.

In this activity (on page 2 of PDF), learners mix oil and water. Then, they add soap and observe what changes! The activity demonstrates how oil and water don't mix, except when soap is added.

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).

In this quick activity, learners observe how the added sugar in a can of soda affects its density and thus, its ability to float in water.

In this activity, learners explore how ordinary marshmallows expand when heated in a microwave.

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 mix vinegar and baking soda together in a bottle to create a chemical reaction. The reaction produces a gas, carbon dioxide, which inflates a balloon attached to the mouth of the bottle.

Learners experiment with a commercial photo-sensitive paper (Sunprint® or NaturePrint® paper). They place opaque and clear objects on the paper and expose it to bright light, observing the results.

In this activity, learners cook amino acids and sugar to explore the range of aromas released.

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

In this activity, learners explore temperature changes from chemical reactions by mixing urea with water in one flask and mixing calcium chloride with water in another flask.

In this hands-on activity, learners use heat to shrink samples of polystyrene plastic (#6 recycle code). Learners compare the size and shape of the plastic pieces before and after shrinking.

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

Using electrolysis, learners produce hydrogen gas and oxygen gas from water molecules in a solution.

Learners explore how recyclers take advantage of the different properties of materials, such as magnetism and density, to separate them from a mixture.

Learners place water and part of an antacid tablet in a film canister. The reaction creates a gas reaction that launches the film canister like a rocket.

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.

In this activity, learners are challenged to lift a floating ice cube out of a glass of water using just one end of a piece of string.