A memorable demonstration – such as smashing hot dogs with a hammer after immersing them in liquid nitrogen – can stick with you for years. This is true for Taylor Huffines, who is always reminded of the freezing properties of liquid nitrogen after seeing this on one of his favorite TV shows as a kid. Now, he’s using this “wow factor” to inspire the next generation of students with science.

“Growing up, I loved watching shows like Bill Nye the Science Guy and Mr. Wizard, and they always had some kind of demonstration to illustrate a scientific principle,” said Taylor, a QC Lab Coordinator at Monument’s Brandenburg site. “I wanted to do something students could follow along with at home before moving to a more advanced concept.”

Taylor recently recorded a video for Meade County’s 4-H Summer Science Enrichment Program, using glow sticks to demonstrate the first law of thermodynamics – which says that matter and energy cannot be created or destroyed, they can only change form. He then provided a more in-depth explanation of how a glow stick works before showing how the chemical energy created by activating the components is converted into light energy. Taylor also used beakers filled with hot water and cold water to illustrate the impact of thermal energy on a light source before creating a life-size glow stick in the lab.

Here is a link to Taylor’s video.

Although this type of demonstration would typically be done in-person, making it available as a video on YouTube means that it can be enjoyed by students beyond just those in the 4-H program. Since the video was posted, Taylor has received a lot of positive feedback from colleagues eager to replicate the demo at home, not to mention his own family. “My kids loved it and my wife shared it on social media,” Taylor said. “Partnering with 4-H to do the video was a great experience, and I’d be happy to be involved with more of their programs.”

Thank you, Taylor, for going “Above & Beyond” to create a memorable demonstration for students – who just might become Monument employees in the future!