Cranbury Public Library hosts Discover Science

What do three plastic bottles with nails sticking out of them, cut-up vegetables, a large baking sheet and florescent light bulbs have in common?

They were all part of various science experiments used to teach kids about electricity at the Cranbury Public Library's Discover Science program Monday afternoon. The demonstration was part of the library's summer reading program.

Decked out in a rainbow-colored tie-dye lab coat, Andrew Piccirillo, 25, of Hillsborough got kids energized about science.

"I'm a scienceteller," he told the audience of 50 kids packed into the large group room at the Cranbury School. "I like to do experiments, but I'm also going to tell you stories to explain those experiments."

After passing out what he called fireworks sunglasses, Mr. Piccirillo shined flashlights at each of the kids so they could see the sparkly, rainbow-colored effect of the glasses. All the kids erupted into screams, begging Mr. Piccirillo to shine the flashlight at them again.

Then it was down to the business of science. Mr. Piccirillo explained that a scientist named Nikola Tesla blazed new trails in the field of electricity by discovering alternating current. He said the Tesla Coil, which looks like a power drill, will cause a spark of electricity when touched to a conductor.

Holding up a metal baking sheet and a florescent light bulb, he showed the awestruck kids how he could make the bulb light up touching the Tesla Coil to the baking sheet.

"Since metal is a conductor, the electricity flows through the baking sheet and lights up the light bulb," Mr. Piccirillo said.

While metal is a common conductor, everyday household items can also conduct electricity. Vegetables and eggs conduct heat, as Mr. Piccirillo demonstrated by using a hardboiled egg to light up a light bulb, much to the amazement of the children. He also created an electric shish kebab using an array of potatoes, carrots and celery. Four volunteers held the vegetables together while he lit up a light bulb using the Tesla Coil and the vegetables as the conductors.

The favorite experiment of the afternoon was the grand finale, which involved an exploding bottle. Mr. Piccirillo had three bottles with nails sticking out of them that he filled with a small amount of ethanol, a clear, flammable liquid.

"I'm going to touch the Tesla Coil to the nails and the spark from the electricity will light the gas on fire," he said, placing a plastic cup over the bottle's opening. "The force from the fire will make the cup shoot toward the ceiling."

Sitting on the edge of their seats, the kids watched as Mr. Piccirillo brought the coil closer and closer to the nail. They screeched with delight as the cup shot upward in a small explosion.

Chandler Karp, 6, said her favorite experiment was the one where she was a volunteer.

"I got to hold the potato when he sent electricity through it," she said.

Kelli Swedish, 6, said she liked the part where Mr. Piccirillo set flash paper on fire while the kids wore their fireworks glasses.

"The colors were really pretty," she said.

Timmy Yesklavege and Kylie Sekelsky, both 5, said they liked the finale when the cup shot up to the ceiling.

At the end of the presentation, all the kids left with a recipe for Slimy Slug Juice, an experiment they can do with their parents at home.

Library Director Howard Zogott said the science demonstration and all the summer reading programs are an effort to get kids excited about reading and learning.

"We like the summer programs because it allows us to tie in fun experiences with the library so the kids will hopefully associate the library with a fun place to be," he said. "Then they'll come in and do their homework here when they're older and be a lifelong fan. You never know when someone's imagination will be sparked. Who knows, one of the kids here today might develop an interest in science because of the experiments Andrew is doing."

Mr. Piccirillo started his company, Piccirillo Sciencetelling, recently after attending Rutgers University.

"I had a favorite teacher in high school who accidentally lit his tie on fire during the first day of class," he said. "After that I just took to science and tried to learn more and more about it after graduation."

He got his start by performing for family and friends who then recommended him to other people. The company grew from there.

"I've always been interested in theater and performing," he said. "Coupled with my love of kids and a natural curiosity about science, these demonstrations were born."

He said the most important aspect of the presentations is the storytelling he does.

"I think it really makes a difference," he said. "I explain science through the art of storytelling and make the whole experience more creative and fun. I think they learn more when information is presented to them through a story."

Mr. Piccirillo said he can do any of his presentations for small and large groups. He does classroom demonstrations, birthday parties, assemblies and library programs.

"As long as there are kids between 5 and 12 who want to have fun, I can do it," he said.