EXPO teaches people as it entertains them

As the mad scientist lit the hydrogen and oxygen filled balloon on fire, a resonant boom filled Osmond lab.

Correction: When this article was originally published in the print version it misstated which gas was in a balloon at the Science EXPO. The balloon contained hydrogen and oxygen.

Bill Wilkinson (senior-chemistry) briefly explained that the explosion was created by a reaction between oxygen and hydrogen molecules. Wilkinson, wearing a white, tufty-haired wig, portrayed a mad scientist in the chemistry magic show, part of the Eberly College of Science's EXPO '91 on Saturday.

Correction: When this article was originally published in the print version it incorrectly identified Janice Ferguson. She is a science writer and production assistant in the Eberly College of Science.

The Science EXPO began in 1977 and the college welcomes about 3,500 visitors including families and students each year to the event, said Janice Ferguson, science writer and production assistant in the Eberly College of Science. All the academic science clubs are involved in the presentations, Ferguson said.

Throughout the day, visitors toured the college's laboratories, where over 40 exhibits introduced people to the college's different departments. Tours of the University Creamery, a physics laser rock show and planetarium shows entertained and informed the visitors.

Alison Hynes, 8, of Brookville, attended Science EXPO '91 with her father because she is interested in all aspects of science.

"I want to look at everything," said the second grader, expressing particular interest in the minerals, telescopes and chemistry exhibits.

Phil Hynes, Alison's father, graduated from Penn State with an Environmental Resource Management degree in 1976. When asked if she will attend her father's alma mater, Alison said, "I think so."

Michael Uhl, 12, of Brockway said he wanted to go to the aerospace engineering exhibit in Osmond lab because he is interested in designing airplanes. His mother, Lynn Uhl, said the family will also visit Davey laboratory to see the various astronomy exhibits.

Tom Holleran and his daughter Molly, 2, of State College, enjoyed chocolate, vanilla and strawberry ice cream after a partial tour of the University Creamery's Borland Laboratory.

"I learned one thing while we were in the tour," Tom Holleran said, explaining that for frozen storage the temperature of ice cream is reduced to 0 degrees Fahrenheit into a frozen block. "Right about then Molly decided that she'd had enough," he said, laughing.

Although this year is the first time the College of Agriculture offered tours through the Creamery during the EXPO, many people took advantage of the addition and enjoyed it, said Michele Reading, student chairperson of EXPO '91.

Students in the Eberly College of Science's student council spent almost a year organizing the EXPO, she said. Reading added that she was pleased with the day's events.