May 18, 2004 == MEDIA ADVISORY
<<<contact Larry Louters at 526-6493>>>
Nails made from lasagna, racquetballs that shatter like glass, exploding pop
bottles and rags that don't burn?
At Calvin College that can only mean one thing: it's once again time for
chemistry professor Larry Louters to do his annual science demonstrations for
local fifth-grade school children.
The demos, now in their 14th year, will take place in Gezon Auditorium at
Calvin on May 20, May 21 and May 24 with a morning and afternoon session slated
for each day. All told Louters expects to educate and entertain about 1,100
local fifth-graders during the six sessions.
As in past years, the demos will see Louters not only teach children some of
the more basic laws of chemistry, but do so in a fun way that may encourage
kids to pursue the study of cheminstry at the high school and college level.
Louters program also includes explosions, flames, disappearing pennies,
liquids that change colors and melting styrofoam cups. He'll make a balloon
shrink and shrivel when dipped in liquid nitrogen and then magically reinflate
it upon exposure to the air. He'll demonstrate what happened to the Hindenburg,
spill burning liquid methane on the floor and more.
All the while the kids are entranced, oohing and aahing and laughing at his
antics with an occasional shriek of delight punctuating the air.
"It's fun for me," Louters says, "and, based on their responses, I know the
kids enjoy it. But hopefully they'll learn a few things too."
Letters that Louters receives from students speak of both the enjoyment and
the education that the seminars provide.
"I enjoyed the big boom a lot," said one student. Wrote another: "Thank you
for sharing your knowledge."
Says Louters: "I figure if we can reach kids early enough, and get them
excited about chemistry, maybe they'll remember it when they get to high school
or college and want to take it again. The beautiful thing about these
demonstrations is that they all want to be chemists afterwards."
SCHEDULE (ALL DEMOS WILL BE IN GEZON AUDITORIUM ON CALVIN'S CAMPUS)
Thursday, May 20 from 9:30 to 10:45 am for 135 students
Plymouth Christian (35), Cutlerville Christian (55), Kelloggsville Christian
(26), Home Schoolers (22)
Thursday, May 20 from 1 to 2:15 pm for 176 students
Calvin Christian (30), Buchanan Elementary (60), Chandler Woods (80), Home
Schoolers (6)
Friday, May 21 from 9:30 to 10:45 am for 195 students
Creston Christian (60), Henry Paideia (40), Bauerwood Elementary (90), Home
Schoolers (5)
Friday, May 21 from 1 to 2:15 pm for 196 students
Breton Downs (70), Oakdale Christian (25), Ada Christian (60), St. Paul the
Apostle (31), Home Schoolers (10)
Monday, May 24 from 9:30 to 10:45 am for 196 students
Sylvan Christian (46), Ottawa Montessori (64), Westside Christian (52),
Freedom Baptist (31)
Monday, May 24 from 1 to 2:15 pm for 200 students
Excel Charter (90), Grandville Christian (45), Rockford Christian (17),
Sherwood Park (58)
-end-
Received on Tue May 18 11:52:38 2004
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