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12 March 2004

The SAS at Super Science Saturday

by Mark Streitman, President
New Jersey Chapter of the SAS

There was science fun to be had for all ages on March 6, 2004, at Super Science Saturday, an annual event that's been taking place for 16 years.  It's sort of like a science fair, with the adults doing the presenting. 

For one Saturday each year, a middle school in Ridgewood, New Jersey, is converted into an amateur science museum.  And of course we (The SAS and the NJSAS) were there in force. This is our second year in attendance. Shawn Carlson, Executive Director of SAS, was gracious enough to come down and join us. 

Shawn gave demos of the newest Amateur Scientist CD.  There really are a lot of amazing projects on it, with some being  very much ahead of their time. Shawn also told visitors about LABRats.  I heard a number of parents say how their child loved science but didn't have any outlets for actually doing science other than school.

A number of the NJSAS's members showed up and brought experiments to demonstrate to the people attending.

Marie Christiano demonstarted the operation of carbide lights that miners once used.

Joe Levinson brought a microscope that showed the inner workings of a microchip that he had designed. 

The hit of our group was Vincent Goffin's "Electric Pickle." Never heard of an electric pickle? I hadn't either!

Vincent placed an ordinary pickle over two electrodes and connected the electrodes to 120 volts. This caused the pickle to emit some crackling sounds. Within about 20 seconds, yellow light was emitted from one end of the pickle.  The yellow light was from the sodium in the salt (Vincent's explanation not mine).

The kids loved Vincent's demonstration.  It stunk up the room, but it was a hit!

Caution: This experiment should never be conducted by children or by anyone who fails to use appropriate caution! Touching an electrode connected to 110 volts can cause serious injury or death. Editor.

Vincent also demonstrated the radioactivity of ordinary objects. He placed a Geiger counter near various household objects and rocks and was able to show that a number of ceramics caused an increase in the count rate, thus proving that they emit low levels of ionizing radiation.

We were not the only group demonstarting science phenomena. Many different groups also conducted demonstrations.

Click images to enlarge.

The place was full of citizen scientists and professional organizations.

It was a very busy time, and we were all exhausted at the end of the day.  The kids had a lot more energy than us!

Thanks to everyone who helped.

Mark Streitman is at president@njsas.org
Vincent is at webmaster@njsas.org
Pete is at treasurer@njsas.org
If you want to contact anyone else, please sent an e-mail to president@njsas.org and tell Mark who you wish to reach.