Celebration of National Chemistry Week at the Toronto Public Library Branches

CIC Toronto Section celebrated National Chemistry week during October 18-25. Chemistry demonstrations in Toronto libraries were part of this celebration. We believe that nothing in this world can exist without chemistry being involved in it. Delivering this message for future generation is one of our priorities. They should believe that knowing and understanding chemistry is essential for nowadays life. We believe that it is important to promote an early interest for chemistry, or sciences in general, to small kids and their parents. Steaming from this CIC Toronto section, Pueblo Science, and University of Toronto Scarborough (UTSC) Chemistry Club carried four library demonstration on October 24^th and 25^th. All four demonstrations were very successful with more than seventy kids attended and some of their parents. Kids had a great opportunity to be involved in hands-on experiments using simple and non toxic chemicals. All four demonstrations were sponsored by CIC Toronto Section. Two demonstrations in Coxwell and Malwern public libraries were prepared and carried out by UTSC Chemistry Club volunteers. Kids had an opportunity to investigate chemistry of polymers by observing polymerization reaction demonstration and perform hands on experiments like slime preparation, and pushing needle through the balloon.  They learned a little bit about reduction-oxidation reaction looking at Elephant Tooth Paste, and burning money demonstrations. They were amazed by colour chemistry by doing candy chromatography and rainbow milk experiment.

The other two demonstrations were carried out by Pueblo Science with participation of UTSC Chemistry Club and numerous volunteers from CIC Toronto Section. Kids and their parents had a chance to perform ink chromatography and even make a button with their chromatogram. They learned about density concept by running Colourful Density Experiment and also acids/bases by panting their pictures using baking soda or vinegar and special paper with cabbage juice indicator. The hands on activity were followed by the same demonstration part as being presented in Coxwell and Malvern libraries. All four chemistry demonstrations were very successful among kids and their parents and received a good feedback from North York, Coxwell, Malvern, and Lillian H. Smith libraries Children’s department personnel.

CIC coordinator: Lana MIkhaylichenko.

Pueblo Science coordinator: Alon Eisenstein.

UTSC Chemistry Club and Pueblo Science volunteers.

Date and location:

Saturday, October 24^th:

1. Coxwell/Danforth library – 10:00 am to 12 pm.
2. Malvern library – 2:00 – 4:00 pm.
3. North York library – 2:00 – 4:00 pm.

Sunday, October 25^th:

1. Lillian H. Smith library – 2:00 – 4:00 pm.