Vacuum Demonstration - Kid's Activity

A fun demonstration designed for STEM outreach. It demonstrates vacuum technology as an interactive activity that is safe for children to play with on their own.

A project I completed while working in the Vacuum Group for TRIUMF 's(Canada's Particle Accelerator Centre) science outreach team.

The demonstration makes use of a clear vacuum chamber attached to a turbo pump. Inside the clear chamber is a stand to hold a marshmallow. As the pressure in the chamber decreases to a low vacuum, the marshmallow puffs up due to its different internal pressure. When the vacuum is removed, the marshmallow contracts into a wrinkly clump also because of the sudden change in pressure.

The demonstration I designed gives an opportunity to simply explain pressure, pressure differences, and the concept of a vacuum to children.

This was a creative side project that was very fun to develop and test with fellow interns. I also got to put it in action at STEM outreach events.