Prepare to laugh.
Prepare to gasp.
Prepare to be amazed and astonished as University of Victoria chemistry professor Alexandre Brolo and lab instructor Corrina Evans show that science can be fun.
On March 11, That Chemistry Show will light up Ideafest with explosions, fireballs, bangs and smoke. It鈥檚 one of several Ideafest events that are as much performances as lectures.
鈥淲e do the chemistry show two or three times a year, sometimes even more,鈥� said Brolo, who began his scientific career in Brazil. 鈥淚t鈥檚 basically a collection of chemical experiments which are very nice visually. We make nice colour changes and reactions that generate smoke and explosions.鈥�
Brolo uses the show as an educational tool to teach children and teens about the power and beauty of chemistry.
鈥淭he idea is to do these experiments in a very fun kind of environment, make some jokes,鈥� said Brolo. 鈥淏ut we鈥檙e not making a magic show. We don鈥檛 want to give that impression that science is magic.鈥�
Since childhood, Brolo has been curious about why things happen. He was given his first chemistry set when he was very young and wanted to learn more.
鈥淚 always wanted to be a scientist and try to understand nature. I think that鈥檚 what drives a lot of people to science is the curiosity when you are a kid.鈥�
During the show, as liquid in beakers change colours and overflows, Brolo explains what a chemical reaction is, how you identify a chemical process and how important chemistry is in our day-to-day lives.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a fun entertainment in that you see these interesting reactions and explosions going on and also learn a little bit of chemistry.鈥�
Brolo鈥檚 favourite experiments involve shrinking balloons with low temperatures. Some of the balloons are filled with hydrogen.
鈥淪o we do some hydrogen explosions at the end to show the difference between when you have only hydrogen in the balloon by itself or when the balloon is filled with a mixture of hydrogen and oxygen, which is ideal for the formation of water. It鈥檚 a more complete reaction,鈥� said Brolo.
Translation: It鈥檚 a louder bang.
鈥淲e warn the audience,鈥� he laughed. 鈥淏ut we try to make sure it鈥檚 not too loud for young children.鈥�
All the demonstrations are attractive, which gets a great response from the audience, said Brolo.
That Chemistry Show will be held in the Bob Wright Centre Rm. B150 from 3 to 4 p.m.
Other performance events include:
鈥� A day in the life of the Lafayette String Quartet 鈥� Experience the renowned string quartet鈥檚 open rehearsal. The quartet and their students will host a brown-bag lunch in room B037 to discuss their work rehearsing, performing, teaching and coaching. This will be followed by a chamber music masterclass. 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, MacLaurin building Rm. B125 and Rm. B037.
鈥� Getting personal 鈥� Researchers from anthropology, economics, environmental studies, geography, political science, psychology and sociology take the stage to share short, uniquely personal stories about their work in the lab, in the field and in the community. 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Rm. 116, engineering computer science building.
鈥� Brave New Wordsmiths 鈥� A chance to meet the next generation of literary stars from the University of Victoria鈥檚 internationally renowned Department of Writing, as graduating master鈥檚-degree students read from their final projects 鈥� and future books. 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Copper Owl art bar and lounge, 1900 Douglas St.
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