Series of demonstrations suitable for a science program

Abstract

Scope of Study: Over the past decade it has become increasingly apparent that the United States needs to increase the number of engineers and scientists graduating each year. Investigation of the causes for high school pupils failing to continue their education revealed that lack of funds was the reason in only one half of the cases. Lack of interest accounted for the other half. It is thereby evident that scholarships sponsored by industry and government will be only partially successful in bringin5 these pupils into college. The causes or "roots" of disinterest, were found to lie with the parents and classmates as well as with the pupils themselves. With this lack of interest in both adults and pupils as a point of attack, a series of startling demonstrations was assembled. These demonstrations are designed to arouse their interest by focusing the attention of the public on science. Such programs have been used by both industry and government in the past, however the method and purpose here differs in that this series of experiments were designed to be a nucleus or model for the individual science teacher who has had little training or experience in the techniques of large audience demonstrations.

Findings and Conclusions: Since the purpose of the demonstrations is to stimulate interest, the criteria for their selection was necessarily their spectacular nature rather than the illustration of specific scientific principles. The selected demonstrations were also designed to be easily observed by a large audience as well as small groups. Thirty-two demonstrations were organized into the following groups: Explosions and Incendiaries, Colors, Mechanical Devices and a group titled Miscellaneous.