Kalamazoo Valley Museum Hosts Virtual Chemistry Day Activities

All gumshoes, prepare for a mystery of sticky proportions! The 34th Chemistry Day goes digital on October 17, 2020, at 1 p.m. Register online at www.kalamazoomuseum.org. for this free digital mystery where participants will use science to solve the crime. Professional chemists will lead hands-on experiments you can do at home and share demonstrations to help participants collect clues and figure out “whodunit.” This family-friendly program encourages a team approach to observing and crime solving through chemistry. No experience necessary.

To set the stage: the Kalamazoo Valley Museum is the latest victim of the notorious Sticky Bandit. Over the last year, museums across the United States have discovered artifacts out of place and exhibits disturbed as the bandit leaves behind a mess of gooey substances designed to distract investigators and contaminate the crime scene. Detectives are needed to help solve the mystery by studying the clues and figuring out the story. Register to attend a workshop where you will unravel the mystery by being introduced to the characters of the story, explore the scene of the crime, decipher a handful of riddles, and observe or try your hand at chemistry experiments. Collect your clues, work together as a team to solve the mystery, and submit your proposed solution. The top ten solutions submitted will be chosen and a poll provided for you to vote on the most likely final outcome.

Experts will provide the necessary background information and dialog during the digital workshop to help participants work through the clues. You determine the level of participation by registering with or without a resource bag at www.kalamazoomuseum.org. The resource bag of materials includes images of the crime scene, a clue sheet of the characters, exhibits, experiments, riddles, and several adhesives for more in-depth exploration. Resource bags will be available for $10 while supplies last and must be registered for in advance of the event.

This year’s National Chemistry Week theme is “Sticking with Chemistry.” The Museum is excited to “adhere” to this mystery by calling on the local and national community to piece together the clues and design a solution.

The Kalamazoo Valley Museum is operated by Kalamazoo Valley Community College and is governed by its Board of Trustees.