Science is cool when it involves goofy scientists and amazing experiments.
Children of all ages, most of them elementary age, crowded into the Federal Way 320th Library on Wednesday to watch Sam Tarbox, co-owner of Mad Science of Sno-King, perform jaw-dropping acts. The spectacles involved the use of air pressure by this science-turned-fun franchise.
The entertainment was part of the library’s Children’s Summer Reading Programs, and was sponsored by the Friends of the Library. The program began in June and has been a success this year. Kids are packing into the library for educational fun. Sometimes books are read. Other times, the children learn by interacting with entertainers and educators like Tarbox.
Wearing a long white lab coat, Tarbox taught the children about air pressure and how it works. He used props such as a boiled egg, which he referred to as his friend Egbert, toilet plungers, make-shift hover crafts, toilet paper, a large plastic bag, a leaf blower and several eager volunteers from the audience to teach his lessons.
The children patiently listened as Tarbox began his first demonstration. Egbert just returned from a cruise, where he ate too much and became robust. Egbert no longer fits through the door to his home — a glass flask. How should Egbert get into his home, Tarbox asked the children.
Cut him in half. Hit him on top of the head until he is forced through the small opening. Get him a new home, they answered.
Instead, Tarbox dropped a flaming piece of paper into the bottom of the flask and placed Egbert on top on the equipment. The egg soon dropped into the flask. Excited exclamations echoed from the audience.
Egbert was not sucked into his home. He was pushed by air pressure, Tarbox said. Each square inch of material experiences 14.7 pounds of air pressure, he said.
The flame caused the air molecules surrounding the flask to become hot and expand. Then they shrank when Egbert blocked their oxygen, he said. The events caused a bubble of low air pressure that pushed Egbert downward.
Other experiments followed. Shouts of “Do it again” and “Wow” escaped the children’s mouths. An hour later, Tarbox accomplished his goal. The children left a bit more science savvy and everyone appeared to have fun.
“We are on a mission to share science with the kids,” Tarbox said.
Becca Rennick, 7, of Northeast Tacoma came to the show with her mom, a school teacher. The youngster volunteered for an experiment. The demonstration was the second summer program event she has attended this season. Sarah Glasco, 9, of Milton, also volunteered for an experiment. She, her brother and mom came to see the show. Sarah saw it two years ago but still found Wednesday’s presentation worth smiling about.
Learn more
• To learn more about the library’s summer reading program, sign up for the program or browse upcoming events, visit the Federal Way 320th Library Web site. The library is located at 848 S. 320th St., and is open 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. Library staff can be reached at (253) 839-0257. A temporary location is also set up at The Commons mall while construction at the regional library takes place.
• To learn more about Mad Science of Sno-King, visit the organization’s Web site at www.madscience.org.
