The NIU Chemistry Club provided a night of magic and generosity for DeKalb County families Wednesday in Faraday Hall.

Rather than impressing the audience with sleight of hand or pulling rabbits out of hats, the Chemistry Club enchanted the packed lecture hall with chemistry wonders ranging from hammering a nail into a board with a banana to conducting electricity through a pickle.

The technical chemistry information behind every demonstration was located on a projector screen for those interested in the science involved.

According to Dave Ballantine, associate professor in the Chemistry and Biochemistry Department, the chemistry magic show was really a night of his and special guest professor Paul Kelter’s favorite chemistry demonstrations.

The event was free to attend, but raffle tickets for a chance to win a cash prize could be purchased and donations were also welcome.

According to an NIU press release, all donations went to the DeKalb County Youth Service Bureau, a nonprofit agency dedicated to improving the lives of DeKalb County youth.

Eli Bliujus, a St. Mary’s second grader, said his favorite demonstration was the ethanol- and hydrogen-fueled Pepsi bottle rockets. The ethanol fueled rocket shot so hard it hit a ceiling tile and scorched it black.

Other unique demonstrations included generating electricity into a clock using orange juice, causing water to change colors, and lighting money on fire without actually burning it by using an alcohol and water solution.

Deanna Cada, executive director of YSB said she was absolutely thrilled with the magic show.

“It meant so many things for the youth,” Cada said. “It taught chemistry to the youth, provided a family-night-out, and supported YSB.”

At the end of the magic show, the audience was treated to an ice cream dessert that called for all the traditional ingredients with the exception of liquid nitrogen. Judging by the huge crowd gathered around the table, both parents and children seemed to love the unique icy treat.

The winner of the raffle was undergraduate magic show assistant Adam Holliday, a senior chemistry major.

“I think helping out is more important than winning the money,” Holliday said. “I’ve been doing this for two years and it’s a lot of fun.”

Ballantine said he was a little disappointed that some of the demonstrations didn’t work as well as they could, but overall he was happy with the way everything went.

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