Chemistry Day at the Kalamazoo Valley Museum

The Kalamazoo Valley Museum and the Kalamazoo Section of the American Chemical Society invite you to attend the event “Fabulous Fibers: The Chemistry of Fabrics!”, which is the 2022 theme of our National Chemistry Week outreach. Visitors of all ages will enjoy chemistry experiments related to fibers, as well as other favorites. After a two-year hiatus, the 36th annual event will take place in person on Saturday, October 15, from noon to 4 p.m. at the museum; it is FREE to attendees.

Discover how chemistry can tell us more about fibers using fire in Great Balls of Fire! Use the sun to create a chemical print on fabric. Learn about ice dyeing and use synthetic dyes to tie dye a bandana. Absorbent polymers are used in diapers to help absorb moisture and also make for some fun artificial snow. See how chemicals combine to create a string of nylon. Observe how milk, soured by vinegar, can be used to create buttons and how that same milk can show us how stains can be removed.

Many of past favorites are back! Make your own slime, explore acids and bases, clean pennies with ketchup, learn about PVT effects using colored water, try paper chromatography and “magic” sand. Chemiluminescence and elephant toothpaste demonstrations can be seen at 12:30, 1:30, 2:30, and 3:30 p.m. in the theater. Get your free tickets at the front desk. This spectacular science show is filled with glow-in-the-dark lights and “dancing” milk!

We look forward to seeing you at the Kalamazoo Valley Museum (230 N. Rose Street) on Saturday, October 15, from 12-4 p.m.!