Chemistry Night at the Children’s Museum

We don’t often manage to make it to events at the children’s museum, especially those that happen in the evening, but last Friday was chemistry night, and Dr. Peds was not working.  My amazing chemist husband thought it would be fun to go, and we had a terrific time.  There were experiments set up all around the children’s museum, talking about forces, colors, temperature, molecules, reactions, and all sorts of different things.

Mr. Trouble on Feet, followed closely by Dr. Peds, zipped around the entire museum checking everything out that he could see from his vantage point.  There were lots and lots of people, and quite a bit of commotion:  just what he loves.  He didn’t stop moving and slept great all night when he got home.

YaYa checked out the different experiments on her own time schedule, a bit of independence she loved and I tried not to feel guilty about, since the children’s museum is very particular about participating in things WITH your children.  It was just what she needed, though.

I tagged along with Mr. SP and The Banana, who were truly fascinated with everything.  The people running the experiments were very engaging and really made it fun, and these two just soaked up everything like sponges.  Their attention was riveted and they are still talking about it.

Everyone’s favorite experiment was watching as the scientists made ice cream with liquid nitrogen.  We learned about the boiling point of liquid nitrogen. an impressive -320 F, about gases and liquids, and about halving a “recipe” since we were the last group for the evening, and the scientists had a limited supply of ingredients left.  Mr. SP, I discovered, LOVES raising his hand and participating, and really enjoys answering questions.  His hand was up a lot.  The scientist in charge of the ice cream called on him to try to figure out what one half of one half cup of vanilla was, and I thought to myself, “This child has absolutely no idea.”  I am quite certain he does not grasp the concept of fractions at this point in his first grade career.  However, once again his steel trap memory kicked into high gear and he answered, “one fourth!”  Dr. Peds and I were surprised, and the only thing we can figure out is that he remembered that from cooking pancakes months and months ago when Dr. Peds was modifying a recipe.

Anyway, all that steam from the liquid nitrogen was thrilling, and it was fun to see the scientists wearing thick gloves and goggles and fun things like that.  The kidlets were impressed with the danger of the situation, and had a splendid time tasting the ice cream.

No one wanted to leave, even though the museum was closing.