Light up your night using Science Smarts

As summer approaches, I look for activities to do late at night that are not only fun but educational too. Who wants to go to bed early on summer break?! Right! Let’s get started.

*Remember to ask an adult before doing this experiment.

Materials

- Small box of lemon or lime gelatin dessert (a light translucent colour will work best)

- Black light (I have been able to purchase black light bulbs at local shops)

- Tonic water - Microwave

- Bowl

- Measuring cups Procedure

1. Make the gelatin as per directions on the box BUT instead of using tap water, substitute tonic water.

2. Mix well and place in the fridge to set up.

3. Once the gelatin is set up, shine the black light on it and observe.

4. What do you see? What is going on?

Your gelatin should have glowed quite nicely under the black light! This is because tonic water contains a chemical called quinine. Quinine glows a greenish blue colour under black light. I hope you enjoyed and brought a little life to your summer party!

NEW: For great curriculum specific activities please visit our website at: http://praxismedhat.com/ programs-resources .

Please note that because of the current health situation, our physical office is temporarily closed. Praxis will not be distributing kits or offering other direct services for now. We will continue to do science outreach via our web page and social media.

Patty Rooks, Senior Scientific Consultant PRAXIS, “Connecting Science To The

Community”. Contact

Praxis at praxis@praxismh. ca, www.praxismh.ca,

Tweet or follow us @ PraxisMedHat, or friend us on Facebook. Address: #12 826 11 Street S. E., Medicine Hat, Alberta, T1A 1T7 Phone: 403.527.5365, email: praxis@praxismh.ca.