Saturday, October 3, 2026
Have you ever seen an insect walk on water? It’s not magic – it’s chemistry!
Build your own water strider, chemistry-powered boat, and more as we explore surface tension with chemist, Dr. Hailey! Will your creations sink or glide?
Time
Ages 7-12: 8 am PT • 9 am MT • 10 am CT • 11 am ET • 12 pm AT
Ages 13-17: 10 am PT • 11 am MT • 12 pm CT • 1 pm ET • 2 pm AT
Materials and Preparation
- 3 small bowls (can hold ~1 cup)
- Water
- Cooking oil (olive, canola, etc)
- Honey or a vegan alternative
- Baking dish or other large, shallow container (at least 2 cm deep)
- Around 20 cm thin wire (~22 gauge: can use 3 twist ties, or untwist a pipe cleaner)
- Milk carton (any size; we will need a piece ~5 cm x 5cm)
- Scissors
- Dish soap
- Toothpick
- Balloon
Meet the Expert
Hailey Gregson, PhD
Hailey Gregson began her career as a chemist focused on enhanced oil recovery, specializing in the application of surfactants to maximize oil recovery in reservoirs. Building on an academic foundation in chemistry and graduate work in pharmacy, she later transitioned into the broader oil and gas sector, focusing on completions chemistry. Hailey evaluates fluid-rock interactions, analyzing parameters like surface tension and wettability to optimize chemical treatments for oil and gas applications. Passionate about science and industrial problem-solving, Hailey works on field solutions, conducts laboratory testing to tackle reservoir challenges, and works toward efficient, science-led extraction and cleanup practices.
This programming was developed by Hailey Gregson and Sydney Brooks.
