No Section

Shows at U fire up students

January 15, 2014 at 3:33PM

Students were encouraged to dance every time before things were blown up. .Explosions, flames, rock music and screaming gummy bears are all part of a unique and fun University of Minnesota College of Science and Engineering outreach program that aims to interest elementary school students in science. With three shows a day for five days, more than 5,000 students were expected at January's Energy and U shows at Smith Hall . ] Richard.Sennott@startribune.com Richard Sennott/Star Tribune Minneapolis, Minn. Tuesday 1/14/2014) ** (cq) (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

With things blowing up on the floor of the University of Minnesota's Smith Hall, elementary school students were encouraged to dance with each burst of flames, rock music and candy Tuesday at Energy and U, a University of Minnesota College of Science and Engineering outreach program that aims to interest young students in going to college to study science.

With faculty members performing three shows a day for five days this week, more than 5,000 youngsters were expected to cycle through the pyrotechnic displays, with plenty of time to ask questions about science.

Prof. Marc Hillmyer of the U Chemistry Department was the master of ceremonies and gave the audience a thrill by lighting a bucket of bubbling methane gas. (The Minnesota Star Tribune)