“Goo, Goop, and Gak: The Science of
Squishy Materials”
Gooey, goopy materials and a lecture about the wonders of snot were the stars
of a family-friendly, hands-on evening of science on the Duke University campus
(Apr.
17th, 2012), sponsored by Triangle MRSEC.
This event was part of the NC Science Festival, a state-wide multi-day
celebration showcasing science and technology in NC.
Faculty
and
students shared
hand-on, interactive demos with “oobleck” cornstarch polymers, polymer
origami that
folds itself magically, and
other “soft matter” with unusual properties.
The
evening also featured
tours
of facilities including the DiVE virtual reality simulator, and a guest
lecture, “The Science of Snot,” by Dr. Richard Superfine UNC-Chapel Hill
Post-event
assessment data confirmed that respondents thought the event “made STEM
learning fun” and made them more aware of STEM in their daily lives.
