Eighth Graders Brew Up Science Magic in Halloween-Themed Potions Lab

This week, our Historic Downtown Campus eighth graders embarked on an unforgettable potions lab in science class, where Halloween-inspired experiments brought science to life in a magical, hands-on experience. The lab was filled with creatively named concoctions like “Witch Blood” and “Liquefied Zombie Brains,” encouraging students to investigate the science behind intriguing reactions. Each station was set up with unique ingredients and instructions, challenging students to predict, observe, and explain the mysteries of each reaction.

Throughout the lab, students moved between stations, experimenting with mixtures like “Frankenworms,” soaked in Snake Venom, and the colorful “Tie-Dyed Brains,” made from “magic-colored potions” and Toad Slime. Each setup invited them to follow detailed directions, observe changes, and record reactions while working to identify the hidden "mystery ingredient." Visiting guests joined in the excitement, watching as each imaginative, seasonal experiment bubbled and transformed, showcasing the fascinating reactions of Halloween-inspired chemistry.

The lab wasn’t just about fun, though—it deepened students’ understanding of chemical reactions by prompting them to think critically about why these reactions occur. By transforming their observations into scientific predictions and reasoning, students were able to connect each experiment to fundamental scientific concepts in an unforgettable, hands-on experience. This festive, engaging approach captured the Halloween spirit while inspiring curiosity and discovery in our young scientists!