Quiz, cafeteria ladies and all

While our own kids are adjusting to their new, non-total-summertime-freedom schedules, dozens of adults went back to “school” at the Museum of Discovery’s Aug. 28 Science After Dark, a regular program that entices adults to the center (normally a space for young people) with the promise of drinks and fun programming.

Here’s a sample quiz Mr. (Joel) Gordon was giving his kids (adults) that night:

Are the following examples of “phase change,” chemical change, or no change? Ice to water Firecracker explosion Sugar dissolves in water Liquid soap becomes foam A match ignites What is the freezing point of Celsius?

Plants use photosynthesis to create what?

In the mnemonic device “My very excellent mother just served us nachos,” what planet is nachos?

Kingdom, _____, class, _____, family, _____, _____.

Several students who worked up appetites over this or lessons in prime numbers and famous dates in history made their way over to the lunch ladies table, where they were greeted by Samantha Sauer and Lennie Dusek in hair nets and canvas overshirts, who served up lukewarm tater tots and cold corn (and pizza).

Folks left the museum with an experiential definition of the word verisimilitude. — Story and photos by

Bobby Ampezzan

Susan Heffington and Eddie Morin wait apprehensively for their “school lunch” served up by lunch ladies Samantha Sauer and Lennie Dusek.

Doug and Mary Lue Frank ask some preliminary questions before taking a quiz from science teacher Joel Gordon.

Mary and Jack Mulholland get the chance to do a couples senior portrait.