ESP Biography

Would you drink black water? Clear Pepsi? How about using pink butter or green ketchup? Believe it or not, these products actually existed, and not that long ago either. But there is a reason these food fads did not last. Consumers prefer that the color of food matches its flavor. Through a series of hands-on activities, this class will investigate the chemistry of food colorings, giving students the chance to understand how both natural and artificial dyes are used in what they eat and drink every day.

Come play Quidditch! Inspired by the fictional game from the Harry Potter universe, quidditch is a game that combines elements of basketball, soccer, and even dodgeball. In this class, you’ll learn the basic rules of quidditch and even play a few pick-up games.

O H , S Na P! Something’s gone wrong in the Stanford chemistry labs! We can’t find our beloved Professor Gen Hydro and there’s evidence everywhere of trickery afoot. We need your help! You have 50 minutes to find out what’s happened before the culprit strikes again. You will solve a series of chemistry-related problems to identify the perpetrator. Once you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth.

What is slime, and why is it slimy? In this hands-on, interactive class, we'll teach you everything you need to know about the science of slime--from non-Newtonian fluid dynamics to cross-linking chemistry. Join us! We'll make sure you leave the class with some insta-worthy slime!

Want to learn how to play a cool new sport that's part dodgeball, part basketball, part soccer, and part tag? Ever wonder if Quidditch from Harry Potter could work in reality? (It does, and colleges across the USA play it!) We'll provide the answers to those questions, and you'll have the chance to play real-life, outdoor Quidditch!

What makes food power you? In this class, we'll look at the chemistry behind our digestive system and how chemical reactions work to get the energy our bodies need from food. We'll also explore lots of cool chemical properties of food, like pH. Plus, there will be plenty of samples for students to eat!