Area students got a taste of science, thanks to members of the聽.
Kimberly Maley ’09 and Gary Bonomo G’10 prepare liquid nitrogen ice cream.
, a lab supervisor and general chemistry lab instructor, and聽, the department’s budget administrator, led a hands-on chemistry workshop in Syracuse鈥檚 historic Burnet Park. The program included various demonstrations, including one on the science of making ice cream.
Their appearance was part of the YMCA Power Scholars Academy, presented in conjunction with Building Educated Leaders for Life (BELL) and the City of 麻豆频道Department of Parks, Recreation and Youth Programs.
鈥淲hat happens when you combine cream, sugar, vanilla flavoring and liquid nitrogen?鈥� Bonomo asked the rapt audience of local YMCA students. 鈥淵ou get delicious ice cream鈥攖he perfect treat for a hot summer day.鈥�
The young scholars also discovered that, when they dipped a rose into liquid nitrogen, its petals froze. Bonomo explained how the cells in each petal contain oily membranes, which hold water. Freeze the cell, and the water turns to ice.
“The petals can break apart and shatter,鈥� Bonomo added.
Liquid nitrogen was not the only thing on the menu. Scholars donned splash goggles and gloves for a lesson on slime. Working with a water-soluble polymer called polyvinyl alcohol (found in Silly Putty, Gak and glue), they added water, Borax and food coloring to make various gel-like substances.
Bonomo described polymers as long chains of repeating chemical units.
“The ‘poly’ means it is a ‘polymer,'” he explained, clad in a white laboratory coat. “The Borax cross-links many of the polymer chains together to make a slimy toy that is fun to play with.”
Maley was thrilled to teach alongside her daughter, Kimberly 鈥�09, a Baldwinsville elementary school teacher who works part-time for the Power Scholars Academy. 鈥淭he event, especially the ice cream-making lesson, was enjoyed by everyone,鈥� Deborah says. 鈥淲e were honored to work with such enthusiastic scholars. Inspiring the next generation of scientists is truly rewarding.鈥�
Gary Bonomo and Deborah Maley
In the words of one young scholar, 鈥淚t was the best day ever.鈥�
Housed in the College of Arts and Sciences, the chemistry department provides graduate and undergraduate opportunities in organic, inorganic and physical chemistry.
The Power Scholars Academy is a free, five-week program for rising third, fourth and fifth graders in the City of Syracuse. Built on BELL鈥檚 evidence-based model, the program blends small-group instruction with immersive enrichment and community engagement activities. The academy is part of a nationwide initiative serving more than 4,600 K-8 scholars, many of whom are categorized as at risk.
