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  ExploScience.com promotes active exploration of science with an emphasis on chemistry.  Conceived, developed, and operated by full time science instructors, we are continually developing new resources and activities that will enrich science education.
  While the need for more science, technology, and engineering majors in the US is high, many teachers have found that trends in standardized curriculum and testing has led to the "sterilization" of science classrooms . "Teaching to the test" seems to have replaced the classroom investigations, explorations, and demonstrations that bring life to science.

As stated by Smith (above), demonstrations should be direct, lively, dramatic, striking, and sometimes just plain fun.  The "Acetylene Rockets" demonstration is talked about by students all year, and is one of many

activities that generates motivation and creates high demand for chemistry at the author's school. "Bangs, Flashes, and Explosions" contains color photos and clear directions for each demonstration.

"Every demonstration that I present in lectures is aimed at enhancing the understanding of chemical behavior.  In all cases, the chemistry speaks for itself more eloquently than anything I can describe in words, write on a chalk board, or show on a slide.
          -Bassam Z. Shakhashiri

In The Classroom & Lab

Dr. Schrempp performs two classic chemistry demonstrations with show host Chris Hardwick on episodes 8 and 10 of this dynamic new PBS science show.  "Sodium Acetate Instant Stalagmite" (left), and "Nitrocellulose" (right) both appear in "Bangs, Flashes, and Explosions". 

Magnesium and Silver Nitrate Flash

"Bangs, Flashes, and Explosions"
 is an electronic book of over 190 dynamic and unusual chemistry and science demonstrations.
Click on the picture (left) to view a video of some of these amazing demonstrations)

Solution Graphics

The new ExploScience demonstration kits have arrived!  These demonstrations are exciting, educational, unusual, and economically-priced. We have constructed each kit with the busy teacher in mind. Most kits include everything required to perform the demonstration including chemicals, glassware, hardware, and instructions and include enough materials for at least 8 demonstrations.

Economical, compact lab scales, perfect for student use.

Mentos and Diet Coke? Bah! Humbug!
If you want to really dazzle them, use and ultrasonic cleaner. Its high-tech, shoots the soda higher, and cleans you jewlery at the same time!
How does it work? The ultrasonic waves produce turmoil in the soda via compression waves and their resultant cavitation voids. This produces a huge increase in nucleation sites, releasing the dissolved carbon dioxide very rapidly.
Ultrasonic cleaners can be found on EBay and the Net for about $35.00. Now if we could just find a cheap alternative for diet soda...

Bismuth Metal Crystals
 Both easy and amazing - Bismuth metal is melted on a hot plate and then allowed to cool to form these beautiful multi-colored crystals. See directions on the LABS AND ACTIVITIES page.

  At ExploScience.com, we believe that excited, motivated teachers produce excited, motivated students.  We will continue to offer a growing number of free resources, while making demonstration manuals, workbooks, and video DVD collections available at an econimical price. The majority of our profits are recycled back into the classroom and this website to promote further growth of teaching resources.
  All of our products have been self-developed and are available only on this website.
A Tie Dye Lab is a great way to end the chemistry class year! After standardized testing, and just when the students are tuning out, insert this great lab.  They bring in a shirt or two, let it soak overnight, and then dye it - with awesome results. Its easy, fairly inexpensive, extremely popular, and a great way to promote chemistry!
See the Tie Dye Page for more information on this lab.  Dr. Schrempp has had excellent results with this activity over the years. It has gained popularity and spread to many of the other teachers at his school.  Students look forward to it every year; some students who have already graduated have even returned in the spring to dye another shirt!

Study colligative properties of liquids or, to be more specific, investigate freezing point reduction by doing an ICE CREAM LAB!This is another activity that students look forward to every year. 
A few tips: Do it outside to avoid conflicts with the custodians. To keep costs low, ask a local Costco or other large store to supply some zip-lock bags, sugar, milk, and vanilla.  Stock up for a couple of days on ice from the cafeteria.
After a few years of doing this large-scale lab and learning some painful lessons, Dr. Schrempp has formulated a fairly easy and inexpensive technique to get through this popular activity.  See all the tips, directions, and required materials on the ICE CREAM LAB page.

New!
    Bismuth Crystals
    Tie Dying
    Blueprinting
    Holiday Labs