A lot of people remember science class as being a little dull, maybe even boring, but a local competition proves it doesn't have to be that way.
The Iron Science Competition was held at the University of Calgary on Friday morning. It was hosted by the Discovery Channel's Jay Ingram.
Science teachers from across the country faced off before 500 grade eight students.
The challenge was to teach one science concept in 6 minutes and to make it fun and memorable.
The concepts include everything from exploding dried pickles, to dried ice and dish soap, to an old alchemist trick which turns copper into what looks like gold.
The teachers pulled out all the stops to entertain the enthusiastic crowd.
The winner of the event was Trevor Nason.
His explosive examples showed the difference between exothermic and endothermic reactions.
It isn't a typical science class but the lesson on endothermic and exothermic reactions is the same as that which is taught in science classes across the country. The difference is that it isn't always this much fun.
An exothermic reaction is a chemical reaction during which heat is released. In other words, more energy is released than is needed for the actual reaction and as a result, the extra energy is released. This is usually released as heat but can also be in the form of light or sound.
An endothermic reaction is just the opposite. During an endothermic reaction, energy is absorbed by the reaction which causes a temperature drop. A common example of an endothermic reaction, is an instant cold ice pack. Many use ammonium nitrate and water to produce an endothermic reaction which creates the instant cold.
Nason was deemed Canada's Iron Science Teacher of the Year.
For more information on the Iron Science Competition click on the link.
