In the Lab

Local schoolchildren attending the St. Columbkille Summer Program at Boston College recently visited the University's Merkert Chemistry Center to get some "hands-on" experience in a chemistry lab. John Boylan, director of the Chemistry Department's Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Center, and Senior Lab Technician Harcharan Rai led the children through a couple of experiments involving polymers -- which, Boylan noted, would be typical assignments for freshmen chemistry students. (Photos by Sean Smith)

(Left photo) St. Columbkille Summer Program teacher Adam Gasbarro helps Vladlen Vronsky with his experiment while Victor Qin (center photo), Taylor Hanley (front) and Megan Connolly assess the results of their work.Click on photos to see a larger image.

Christian Yuen, left, and Vladlen Vronsky display the "slime" they created using a solution that included hot water, Borax, food coloring and plastic sheeting.