Public Events --

Carrol C. Hall Science Series: Lab Rats

Carrol C. Hall Science Series: Lab Rats

• Location: Illinois State Museum, Springfield, Springfield
• Date: Saturday, January 29, 2011, 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Students in grades 6-8

Free with registration

Dr. Shawn Carlson will amaze students with an exciting, demonstration of the principles that govern the universe. Next, students will attend a hands-on workshop session. Students will gain a new perspective on science, a scientific instrument to keep, and materials to continue the fun at home.

At the time of registration, students may indicate their workshop preferences, but spaces is limited, so register early. Registration is required by January 27. 

Workshop Choices (each student will participate in one):

• The Mysterious Nature of Light: Without light, there is no sight. Learn exactly what light is, why color is only an illusion, and how scientists use star light to discover what stars are made of from millions of miles away. In this workshop, you will use an old CD to create a hand-held spectrograph that will disassemble any light into its component colors to reveal secrets of its source.
  Project: Hand-held spectrograph
• Optical Illusions-3D:  Seeing should not always be believing. Discover simple optical illusions that fool you every day and construct your own "dragon" that appears to stare at you no matter where you go.
  Project: The Gardner Dragon
• Turn Your Cell Phone into a Video Microscope: By attaching a small magnifier to a spare plastic cell phone protector you can create your own digital video microscope. You'll learn how to use your new microscope to discover amazing things that are too small for the naked eye and create remarkable videos. Participants will need to bring a cellphone with a protective cover.
  Project: Digital microscope
• Explore the Stuff of Life: DNA is the remarkable molecule that contains the blueprint of all living things. You will learn about DNA and how to extract it from living cells for study at home using chemicals found in your kitchen.
  Project: DNA extraction kit 
• 101 Magic Tricks in 90 Minutes Flat!: Doing science is all about not fooling yourself. The best way to learn about the importance of the scientific method is to discover just how easy it is to be fooled and to fool others. In this workshop, Dr. Shawn will reveal simple ways to do remarkable magic: Mind reading, rope tricks, and the easiest method to find a selected card.
• Copper to Gold and Molecules as Art--A Hot Introduction to Cool Chemistry: In this workshop, you will make copper pennies appear to change into "silver" and even "gold" right before your eyes using a fun "tweak" of chemistry. You will also learn a colorful method that enables scientists to pluck particular molecules from a mixture and use it to create a unique work of art.
  Project: "Silver" and "Gold" pennies and an original chromatography artwork

Participants must register by January 27 online at bit.ly/chall11 or by mail using this form. For more information, contact Elizabeth Bazan at ebazan@museum.state.il.us or (217) 782-5993.

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