Southwest Minnesota State University’s chemistry club has been thrilling students with science for years. With events planned for family day and many more throughout the year, the Chemistry Club is looking to make it their best year yet.

“It’s really great to see the faces light up,” says Angie Wieland, a junior in the chemistry and physics programs and an active member of chem club, “I hope that the shows inspire these kids to go into science one day,” she said.

Local elementary and middle schools that put on reaction shows often recruit SMSU’s chemistry club. Reaction shows are comprised of illusions, tricks, and explosions brought about through science. Think Bill Nye The Science Guy doing a live show for you. Pretty cool, right?

“We’d like to make the shows more theatrical,” says Wieland. “It would be awesome to get some theater or art majors involved, make things more of a show instead of just a series of tricks.”

So far shows include tricks like elephant toothpaste, where the club makes a little bit of liquid shoot into giant pillars of foam. The ever thrilling fire tornado: exciting, color-changing potions and big booms.

“This year for homecoming we’re making smoke bombs!” Wieland exclaimed.

October boasts two reaction shows, one on SMSU’s Family Day, Oct. 20 at 2 p.m. in CH 217, and another for Mole Day, Oct. 23 at 6 p.m. in CH 201.