That's not a chemistry demonstration. That's an introduction to theatrical and circus special effects and stunts. The presentation and attitude are contrary to the thoughtfulness and caution that needs to be fostered in chemistry students.
Aron J. Ihde, 60 years ago, did experiments that also were spectacular. But the set up was intellectual and required first developing in the students an understanding of the chemical principles that would be illustrated. The safety was also a part of the presentation which was done at a distance from the audience with full gear and a trained assistant. The excitement in that lecture hall was not generated by jumping around and audience participation, but by the excitement each of us felt when we saw a physical manifestation to reinforce the chemical principles we had just learned.
Those students in the video are too young to appreciate anything but the antics. And they will be tempted to do similar "experiments" on their own.
Adulation from students is not a measure of good teaching.
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Monona Rossol, M.S., M.F.A., Industrial Hygienist
President: Arts, Crafts & Theater Safety, Inc.
Safety Officer: Local USA829, IATSE
181 Thompson St., #23
New York, NY 10012 212-777-0062
-----Original Message-----
From: NEAL LANGERMAN <neal**At_Symbol_Here**CHEMICAL-SAFETY.COM>
To: DCHAS-L <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**PRINCETON.EDU>
Sent: Wed, Oct 18, 2017 7:35 am
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] Teacher Makes Chemistry Fun With Exploding Experiments
I saw it last night and thought that ACS (Marta) might send her the guidelines on demonstrations. I can think of all kinds of ugly scenarios.
Stay safe out there.
On Tue, Oct 17, 2017, 18:07 Richard Rosera <richardrosera**At_Symbol_Here**gmail.com> wrote:
This was apparently featured this evening on NBC News:
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Using explosive experiments and her magnetic personality, Dr. Kate Biberdorf is inspiring thousands of children across Texas to see the exciting side of chemistry.
Richard Rosera, BS ChE, MS ChE, MBA
Rosearray EHS Services LLC
Los Alamos, NM 87547-3410
Cell: 908-279-4463
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Sent from Neal Langerman's Nexus