Watch the 2016 Program Online Now!
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Chemistry Prof Keeps Christmas Cheery for the 47th Time
WPT Blog
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| The crowd is ready for science! |
Bassam and Rodney |
Santa presents Bassam with a silver-plated 47 in honor of the 47th annual Christmas Lecture. |
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| 2016 Special Guests (L to R): Jim Maynard, Rodney Schreiner (Bassam) Indre Viskontas, Gery Essenmacher. |
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"The kids grabbed rubber bands as soon as
they got home, to experience the warmed-
when-stretched phenomenon."
~ Karl Broman, Madison |
At right, a thank you holiday message from one of this year's attendees.
(Click for larger version) |
2015:
Watch the 2015 Program Online Now!
More from WPT
Behind the Scenes: Set Design with Philip Ashby
A Quick Message from Prof. Shakhashiri
View the 2015 Program Booklet
News Items:
Tickets available Oct.1 for Shakhashiri's science show via UW-Madison News
Chemist starts holiday season with bangs, controlled fires via The Daily Cardinal
Around Town: After 46 years, science show still inspires awe via the Wisconsin State Journal
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Bassoonists Ross Duncan
and Juliana Mesa Jaramillo |
Bucky brought his own safety goggles. |
The grand finale! |
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| Brianne Kieta and Keanna Lansing of Waunakee |
Gus, Hadden, Easton and Emme Steffen of Wausau |
Coleton Vandervest of Mount Horeb |
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Rodney and Bassam with
Jeff Stobbe, who was in Bassam's class in 1979 and
has been attending the Christmas Lecture ever since. |
Juliana, Rodney,
Bassam and Ross |
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View the 2014 Program Booklet (pdf)
Watch the 2014 Show Online
IMAGES FROM THE 2014 SHOW
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| "Thank you for a great show!" ~ Taavi, Boden, Ramse, Kayli, Aziah and Avali |
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| The UW Varsity Band helped welcome Professor Shakhashiri to the stage. |
Bucky always comes prepared
with his safety goggles. |
Fog is a science fan favorite! |
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| Elizabeth was a special guest in the Christmas Lecture from 1992-2002. |
Celebrating the 45th annual show with a glowing luminol "45." |
Lecture demonstrator Jim Maynard
with Bassam. |
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| Professor of Music and Director of Bands Mike Leckrone was another special guest. |
Santa brought gifts to commemorate the 45th anniversary. |
Bassam showed Prof. Leckrone and Santa how to make holiday ornaments. |
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| The Madison Youth Choir |
Raia demonstrated the Bernoulli Effect with a balloon and hair dryer. |
Santa sang Italian opera! |
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| Bassam's longtime collaborator Rodney Schreiner had fun with foams. |
With a crash of thunder and a swirling tornado, Dorothy appeared! |
Prof. Clint Sprott, of Wonders of Physics, came to congratulate Bassam. |
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| Everyone came back on stage to celebrate at the end of the show. |
Lillian, Jasmine and Oliver Andres, who attend Pittsville Elementary School, enjoyed the show. |
The show wrapped up with more great music from the UW Varsity Band. |
| Photos courtesy of Curt Andres and Dina Boyle |
View the 2013 Program Booklet (pdf)
IMAGES FROM THE 2013 SHOW
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| Bassam kicks off the show by igniting some balloons, always a crowd pleaser. |
Lecture demonstrator Jim Maynard performs the N2OCS2 demo in the dark. |
"Let me just check the instructions for the next demonstration in this book ..." |
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| The Briggs-Rauscher Reaction features dramatic color changes. |
Prof. Marc Fink and Hinano Ishii visit the lab for a musical interlude. |
Dr. Rodney Schreiner has collaborated on 43 of the 44 Christmas Lectures. |
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| How did the flame leap up the stairs? |
Some young science fans greet Bassam after the show. |
Fr. John Silva and students from Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic School, Monona |
IMAGES FROM THE 2012 SHOW
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| Bassam waves hello to the audience at the start of the show. |
Spraying metal salts into a flame produces beautiful colors. |
Lauren Buchanan tests the conductivity of different liquids. |
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| Santa presents Bassam with a periodic table blanket from the ACS. |
What a beautiful Christmas ornament! |
Enjoying a round of applause after the show. |
Past Christmas Lectures are available on DVD!
Click Here for More Information
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