Chemistry Outreach Activities

Discover hands-on activities you can use for your community outreach efforts. Each activity is designed to increase understanding and appreciation for chemistry and can be performed with supervising adults using easy-to-find materials.

Small Group

Participants: 1-10

Duration: 15-45 mins

Adaptable to most locations

Classroom

Participants: 10-40

Duration: 20-30 mins/lesson

Ideal for settings such as schools, libraries, places of worship, rec centers

Stage Demo

Participants: 25-250

Duration: 5-15 mins/demo

Requires minimum of 10 ft between presenter and audience. Additional safety measures required.

Small Group

Mystery Markers

Lead participants through the discovery of hidden colors in markers using paper chromatography.
Nature of Dye

Teach the impact of acids and bases on a common natural dyes made from dried cochineal bugs!
Unleashing Carbon Dioxide

Guide participants through an exploration of how gases dissolve in water, the impact of different surfaces on getting gases out of solution, and why Mentos have such an explosive effect on soda!
Appearing & Disappearing Ink

Show participants how to make their own disappearing ink using turmeric and rubbing alcohol.
The Secret Science of Self-Inflating Balloons

Use the reaction between citric acid and baking soda to explain how to inflate a latex balloon, extinguish a candle, and discover how self-inflating balloons work.

Classroom

Rainbow Tornado

Teach Le Chatelier’s Principle using antacid, vinegar, and universal indicator to create a colorful vortex!
Goo Worms

Share the science of polymerization by making wiggly, squish worms!

Stage Demo

React with Copper

Show off the replacement and redox reactions that use copper metal to make brown gas and gray powder.
Tin Crystals

Use electricity to grow metal crystals in a tin.
Chemistry That Glows

Demostrate the chemiluminescence of luminol to explain how fireflies put on their glow-in-the-dark show.

Related Resources

Safer Experiments & Demonstrations

Every venue is unique! Learn how to complete a RAMP assessment to account for variations.

Review Our RAMP-Based Guide
Make Your Own Videos!

Want to make your own videos? Check out these workshop recordings and handouts:

Learn How to Make a Video
Download Animations

Use these animations to augment your chem demo video or in-person activity:

Learn More about Animations