Take a Chemistry Field Trip with NOVA Education

Join NOVA on four virtual field trips highlighting some of the scientists and engineers featured in the new three-part chemistry series NOVA Beyond the Elements. Each virtual field trip will consist of a live streamed demonstration and Q&A with scientists who explore the fascinating chemistry that makes our world and everything in it—including us.

We know that many classes are meeting virtually now due to school closures from the coronavirus pandemic and we invite you to join the conversation with your students on the NOVA Education Facebook page and YouTube channel where we will be streaming the virtual field trips. If you’re interested in attending any of these trips with your students, please register below.

Exploring the Blueprint of Organisms: Strawberry DNA Extraction

Wednesday, January 27
1 p.m. ET / 10 a.m. PT
Watch here: NOVA Education Facebook or NOVA Education Youtube

All living organisms have DNA, or deoxyribonucleic acid; a blueprint for the development, growth and function of an organism. Have you ever wondered what DNA looks like and how to extract it from the cells of a living organism?

For our first virtual field trip, join Dr. Monica Hall-Porter, featured in NOVA Beyond the Elements: Life to learn more about DNA and follow along with a live strawberry DNA extraction using common household items.

Don’t Try This at Home: Cracking the Secrets of Glass

Tuesday, February 23
1 p.m. ET / 10 a.m. PT
Watch Here: NOVA Education Facebook or NOVA Education Youtube

Glass is a versatile, mesmerizing material that works in unexpected ways. In its molten state, it’s hotter than volcanic lava. But what happens when hot glass meets cold water? How big can a glass bubble get? What is glass made of, and how do you add color to it?

For our second virtual field trip, learn about all the ways that glass breaks—from the safe to the explosive. Watch Corning Museum of Glass glassmakers, Chris Rochelle and Eric Meek, work with glass live as they answer these questions and more.

A Tour of the 'Periodic Table' Table

Wednesday, March 24
1 p.m. ET / 10 a.m. PT
Watch Here: NOVA Education Facebook or NOVA Education Youtube

For our third virtual field trip, visit science author Theodore Gray in his elemental office and see almost-first-hand his real solid wood periodic table…table. Theodore will show you thousands of samples of (nearly) all the chemical elements found in, on, and around the table and some of the spectacular reactions that occur between atoms and molecules.

This event will be live-streamed on YouTube and Facebook so that educators may tune in with their virtual classes. For more information about the series, visit the Beyond the Elements series page.

Science of Spice: Chile Pepper Chemistry 

Wednesday, April 21
1 p.m. ET / 10 a.m. PT
Watch Here: NOVA Education Facebook or NOVA Education Youtube

Even though spicy foods cause burning sensations on our tongues, can make our noses run, and can even bring us to tears, humans can’t get enough of spicy foods! What is causing the wide range of reactions we experience when we eat spicy foods? Join Dr. Ivette Guzmán from New Mexico State University for a chile pepper dissection to discuss the chemistry of chile peppers and why humans love spicy foods.

This event is the fourth and final virtual field trip highlighting some of the scientists and engineers featured in the new three-part chemistry series NOVA: Beyond the Elements. It will be live-streamed on the NOVA Education YouTube and Facebook pages.