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Many winter holidays have exciting chemistry connections. Explore the festive activities, labs, articles and more with your club this holiday season!
Sections
Activities
- Atomic Holiday Ornaments from AACT
Design an atomic holiday ornament for a chosen element, along with a certificate of authenticity to display on a “Chemis-tree”.
- Scientifically Sufganiyot from Royal Society of Chemistry
How does a recipe for Hanukkah doughnuts compare to a scientific method or a set of integrated instructions?
Demos
- Christmas Tree Combustion from Science Friday
Use this activity to demonstrate the flammability of dry versus fresh needles of a tree such as fir or pine.
Labs
- Chemistree
from AACT
Prepare a solution and use it to “grow” crystals on a paper Christmas tree. - Molding Metal from AACT
Casting tin into molds creates unique ornaments. - Silver Test Tube Holiday Ornament from AACT
A reduction reaction is used to create a silver-plated test tube holiday ornament. - Winter Crystals from AACT
A supersaturated solution can be used to make snow/ice covered decorations overnight! - Ornament Making: A Holiday Redox Activity from Flinn Scientific
Holiday fun—combine chemistry and art to design a holiday ornament! - Poinsettia pH Paper from ThoughtCo.
Tired of plain old pH paper? Make your own holiday style! using poinsettia plants.
Articles
- Why the Magic of Christmas Is All Down to Chemistry from the Independent
From candles and incense to snow and mistletoe, the festive period is a feast for the senses. - Festive Fuels from Chemistry World
Read about the source of the menorah’s glow, and the chemistry connected to Hanukkah.
- The Tumultuous History of Tinsel from Mental Floss
The long, silvery strands on the Christmas tree have a long history with many changes. - Diwali: Scientific Reasons Behind Lighting Diyas from India.com
Explore the Diwali tradition to illuminate each house with a burning lamp.
- Christmas Tree Periodic Table from Science Notes
118 elements come together to form a colorful Christmas tree. Choose from two versions. - O Chemistree
from Royal Society of Chemistry
Thinking of a chemistree this year? Look at these ideas for getting started. - Green Crackers Answer to Diwali Pollution from DowntoEarth.org
Though manufacturing can be limited, green crackers offer alternative ingredients, reducing pollution during the Diwali celebration.
Videos
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Is Santa’s Flame Resistant Suit Killing him? From ACS Reactions
Flame-retardant chemicals can slow the spread of fire in homes and garments. But are these compounds naughty or nice?
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What Is Tinsel Made Of? Speaking of Chemistry Ep. 12 from C&EN
How is the shiny tinsel that decorates many Christmas trees made? Today it's mostly made of plastic, but it used to contain chemical elements like lead, aluminum, or copper.
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How Do Snowflakes Form? from ACS Reactions
This video takes a microscopic look at snowflake science and how they form.
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Yule Log Trivia from ACS Reactions
Ready to kick back and relax by the fire this holiday season? Enjoy a chemistry-themed yule log trivia with a cup of hot cocoa.