The Wingate University Chemistry Club frequently presents Demo Shows at local schools.  We have visited Unionville Elementary School, Metrolina Christian Academy, and Sun Valley High School.  Our presentations are around an hour long; in this time, we strive to educate, as well as entertain our audience.  Below is a list of the demonstrations that we have done, along with some pictures.

1.  Hydrogen and Hydrogen/Oxygen Balloons: The Earth's atmosphere is approximately 21% oxygen gas.  People and animals need oxygen to breathe.  Oxygen also helps things to burn-we call chemical reactions in which something burns combustion.

2.  Burn the Dollar: Watch to see if a dollar soaked in a special mixture of alcohol and water will burn away!  Remember oxygen is present.

3.  Oscillation Clock: Three colorless chemicals are mixed together. You will see two beautiful colors change back and forth for about five minutes in the flask.

4.  Silver Flasks:  The inside of glassware can be coated with a shiny (and valuable!) silver coating provided that the proper solutions are mixed.  Pure silver will plate out onto the inside of a glass jar if sugar is added to the solution.

5.  Methanol Cannon: A small amount of alcohol is left to evaporate in a plastic jug.  The presence of oxygen in our Earth's atmosphere provides the perfect fuel for a spark to combust the alcohol vapors and fire off the cannon!

6.  Acid/Base Colors: Acids and bases are all around us.  Citrus fruit has acid in it (lemons taste sour!).  Soap and household cleaners are bases (they feel slippery).  A special chemical called an indicator will change beautiful colors as acids and bases are added to it.

7.  Luminol Fountain: Everyone likes things that glow in the dark! Fireflies use special chemicals inside their body that produce a bright glowing green color.  We will show you a chemical that glows a bright blue!

8.  William Tell Overture: We have a special set of reactions that will change color to the accompaniment of the William Tell Overture.

9.  Colored Fireworks: We decided to end our show with a celebration of fireworks.  Different types of compounds will produce different colors when they burn.  Look for purple, blue, red, and green!