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Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend January 30, 2006 Emma Richmond, 5, of Ashland, watches for oil-filled bubbles to rise and burst at the top of a colored mixture during �Kids �N Chemistry� demonstrations at the Ashland Family YMCA on Sunday. The event was held to interest kids more in science. Law of attraction Demonstrations at the Ashland YMCA do what they set out to do — get Rogue Valley kids interested in the wonders of science early in life By SANNE SPECHT Mail Tribune Emma Richmond’s pint-sized fingers pick up a pinch of salt. She carefully sprinkles the tiny crystals into a plastic cup and peers anxiously at the mysterious blue liquid. "Look! There it goes," cries her scientific mentor, Southern Oregon University Chemistry Club co-president Jennifer Schlegel, as the salt interacts with drops of oil in the colored water — creating an instant "Lava-Lamp" effect. The 5-year-old’s frown breaks into a gleeful grin. Emma bobs her head happily as the bubbles ooze and sway. Schlegel, a senior biochemistry major at SOU, is also co-coordinator of Sunday’s "Kids ’N Chemistry" demonstrations at the Ashland YMCA, where Emma is now exploring the world of science. Making a "Lava Lamp" is only one of the seven kid-friendly stations at the free four-hour science fair. At a nearby table, pip-squeak scientist-wannabes are giggling while making shiny "slime" with borax, polyvinyl and glitter. Across the room, they explore electricity — making batteries out of fruit, nails and pennies. Advertisement Emma’s father, Chris Richmond, says his daughter has siblings, but Emma was the only one who wanted to come to the show Sunday. "So I brought her," says Richmond. "I think this is great." Greg Miller, SOU biochemistry and forensic professor, was bitten by the science bug at an early age. Miller was eight when his grandmother gave him a telescope, he says. "I was interested in astronomy," says Miller, SOU’s sciences faculty adviser. Miller says the hands-on experiments at this fair and other future events are designed to charge the batteries of Rogue Valley youth — scientifically speaking. "If you can get the spark into them at an early age, it’s the right time," says Miller. The four-hour event on the rainy Sunday afternoon pulled in 60 kids during the first hour, and more than 125 total, he says. SOU will hold a larger fair with 15 to 20 experiment stations in Medford this coming spring, Schlegel says. "We’ll have more of the sciences there — biology, geology, physics, hopefully the entire department," he says. While Schlegel continues to demonstrate the miracles of chemical reaction to Emma, she talks about her goals after graduation. "Hopefully cancer research," Schlegel says. Emma’s curiosity reminds Schlegel of her own lifelong interest in science. "I always look back at memories like this where teachers did neat experiments," says Schlegel. Suddenly, a slight mistake with the mixing stick sends Emma’s liquid cascading down her pink top and blue pants. Chris Richmond mops his daughter up as Schlegel gives Emma a reassuring smile. "Sometimes being a scientist is messy," says Schlegel. Undeterred, Emma’s eyes are dancing as she opts for green food-coloring — and reaches for the salt. Reach reporter Sanne Specht at 776-4497 or e-mail Law of attraction ">[email protected] . Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2006 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback www.bingo.com Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker Custom Build Computers Computer Security Discount Hotel Reservations Casinos Canada dvd-r Generic Viagra Myspace Windermere Van Vleet Deep Muscle Stimulator Sports Equipment Online Casino Reviews Online Bingo Entertainment Guide Online Casino Fundraisers Student Loans Sudoku Online Advertisement s Advertisement