14th annual event to be magical
Imagine skewering a balloon, playing with magic sand that doesn't get wet, making Rice Krispies dance, and making music without touching an instrument. They’re all possible using the principles of science at the Bradbury Science Museum’s 14th annual High-Tech Halloween.
High-Tech Halloween is from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday (October 31) and is free and open to the public. The theme this year is "Science Magic."
“Come by the Bradbury on Halloween and learn the science behind some magic and magic tricks,” said Liz Martineau, Bradbury Science Museum science educator. “Though the universe sometimes seems to be a magical and mysterious place, it's not magic, it's science.”
High-Tech Halloween activities include playing with very bendable nitinol wire that pops back into its original shape when heated; observing eddy current tubes that demonstrate the magic-like effects of magnets and copper tubing; interacting with the musical theremin, which is played without touching but still requires the use of a person’s hands; learning about chemiluminescence, the mixing of chemicals to create glowing light that doesn't emit heat; and using a Magdeburg sphere to learn how air pressure affects objects.
High-Tech Halloween is part of Los Alamos County's Trick or Treat on MainStreet event organized by downtown merchants. Activities are geared for the elementary-school-age student, but almost any age will see that fun and learning come easily on this evening, said Martineau.
There is no registration, but parents or adult guardians are asked to accompany their children.
The Bradbury Science Museum is located at 15th Street and Central Avenue in downtown Los Alamos. The museum is open seven days a week except for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day. Museum hours apart from special events are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday and Monday. Admission is free.
For more information, call 7-4444.
The Bradbury Science Museum is part of the Community Programs Office (CPO).