2008 Woodie Awards
Fun with Katz
Sean Buckley
Do you know how Silly String works? How to play catch with a bubble? What about Stretch Arm Strong -- do you know how he stretches? Do you know how to make your own play dough? David A. Katz knows, and he's been teaching kids how to make Slime, Gak, Ooz Balls, Play Dough, and more for over 25 years.
As part of National Chemistry Week, De Anza College hosted "Chemistry in The Toy Store," an exciting and interesting way for kids to discover chemistry through the toys they already love.
"Chemistry in the Toy Store" started in 1978 and became the first public forum focusing on the chemistry behind popular toys such as Silly Putty and Barbie dolls with color-changing hair.
This year's forum featured Katz as part of the main event, who talked about ways to have fun using simple chemistry.
Katz started his demonstration by having two children from the audience play with soap bubbles. He explained that bubbles do not pop when they hit shirt sleeves because residual soap left over from the laundry prevents it. Katz explained how to make bubble solutions and bubble blowers out of items from around the house. Using wire frames, Katz made square, triangle, octagon, and even dodecahedron soap bubbles.
"Bubbles are cool," Katz said.
Katz moved from bubbles to balloons. Using a row of children holding hands, Katz demonstrated the makeup of a polymer, and how it stretches because of how the molecules fold and unfold.
After popping a balloon with a long metal skewer, the audience applauded when he pierced another balloon with the same skewer without popping it. After introducing the audience to latex rubber, he showed the audience how to make a rubber bouncing ball out of simple liquid latex from local hobby shops.
"Chemistry in the Toy Store" also featured a bit of history about one of America's favorite toy. Remember Silly Putty, that pink stretchy stuff that molds, shapes, bounces and picks up newspaper print? Silly putty was not originally intended to be a toy for children. Originally made in 1941 as a potential synthetic silicone replacement for rubber, Silly Putty became a great toy when scientists brought home samples from the lab for their children. Scientists later rejected it for its scientific use because of its tendency to dry out and crack.
"Chemistry in the Toy Store" delight and educat both children and adults. Instructions for toys such as Silly Putty, Slime and rubber bouncing balls can be found on Katz's website at http://www.chymist.com