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This is written as a static display, but can easily be adapted to a hands-on experiment for learners to conduct.

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).

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

Learners use a mortar and pestle to extract clove oil from cloves using denatured alcohol. They put this oil on paper, which they can take home.

In this hands-on experiment, kids use chemistry to explore whether acids or bases are better at restoring a penny’s shine.

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

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

Learners observe a flask with a balloon attached over the mouth and inverted inside the flask.

Learners use Benedict’s solution and heat to test for the presence of simple sugars in glucose, sucrose, starch, and starch combined with amylase.

In this activity, learners investigate vitamin C.

Learners pour equal amounts of coffee, mineral oil, corn syrup, and alcohol into a beaker. The liquids resolve into stacked layers, and learners can infer which liquids are the most and least dense.

This display shows slow chemical reactions in colorful crystal formations known as Liesegang Rings. These reactions are similar to those forming the rings in agates.

In this fun and delicious chemistry activity (page 1 of the PDF), learners will explore the difference between physical and chemical change by making homemade ice cream.

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.