LEFT: Science teachers O’tessa Robinson and Maurice Leroux pour liquid nitrogen into a cooler in preparation for activities.TOP RIGHT: The most colorful reaction involved pouring sodium iodine into a mixture of 35 percent peroxide and dish soap. The giant erupting foamy blob released heat as it oozed over the sidewalk. Check out videos of these experiments on C.A. Gray’s webpage, http://tinyurl.com/cagrocks1.MIDDLE RIGHT: Science teacher Ashton Wilson hands out frozen flowers to students. Shown from left to right are Bryan Del Angel, Seaven Shorter, Caroline Chapura, and Drew Watson. BOTTOM RIGHT: The above-mentioned “bang” is courtesy of the reaction between a cube of sodium, which is an alkali metal, into a tub of water. The sodium exploded and then caught the surrounding grass on fire as well.

MOULTRIE, Ga. — To get testing started off with a bang (literally), eighth grade physical science students observed a round of outdoor chemistry labs at C.A. Gray Junior High School. One demonstration included the use of liquid nitrogen to display how molecules come together and expand as heat is removed or added. Students observed how balloons react to the substance as well as how quickly it changes flower petals from soft to brittle. The liquid nitrogen was donated by, and Moultrie Walmart donated the flowers. The above-mentioned “bang” is courtesy of the reaction between a cube of sodium, which is an alkali metal, into a tub of water. The sodium exploded and then caught the surrounding grass on fire as well. Students also witnessed a “black smoke snake” that was created with burned powdered sugar and baking soda.

LEFT: Science teachers O’tessa Robinson and Maurice Leroux pour liquid nitrogen into a cooler in preparation for activities.

TOP RIGHT: The most colorful reaction involved pouring sodium iodine into a mixture of 35 percent peroxide and dish soap. The giant erupting foamy blob released heat as it oozed over the sidewalk. Check out videos of these experiments on C.A. Gray’s webpage, http://tinyurl.com/cagrocks1.

MIDDLE RIGHT: Science teacher Ashton Wilson hands out frozen flowers to students. Shown from left to right are Bryan Del Angel, Seaven Shorter, Caroline Chapura, and Drew Watson. 

BOTTOM RIGHT: The above-mentioned “bang” is courtesy of the reaction between a cube of sodium, which is an alkali metal, into a tub of water. The sodium exploded and then caught the surrounding grass on fire as well.