12 clubs 12 March 30, 2011 + Over the Edge UNBC’s Chemistry Club Presents The 10th, but probably not 10th, annual magic show! BIANCA CHORABIK CLUBS EDITOR On Friday, March 25, 2011, Tom Scully and his six assistants appeared at the Canfor Theater for the Chemistry Club’s annual magic show. This show has been going on for approximately ten years as a means to make chemistry seem fun for all those non-believers. People from all ages came to see this hilariously entertaining show. The show was not solely about blowing things up and making things change colour; it also provided (unlike other magic acts) explanations as to how the processes occurred. The act started out with the classic “elephant tooth paste,” which we have all seen in elementary school or on Youtube. By mixing a concentrated hydrogen peroxide with liquid soap, which in this case was Borax laundry detergent a reaction will occur. However, at this stage it’s occurring too slowly for anyone to care. So, Scully adds in some form of a catalyst to make the hydrogen peroxide break down really quickly. Hydrogen peroxide breaks down into oxygen and water. There’s a lot of oxygen trapped in peroxide, so this rapid decomposition results in lots of oxygen that needs to quickly push out of the container. As the peroxide breaks down, the soap that was mixed in will also combine with the water (from the breaking down process), and turn into foam. The oxygen gushing out is what makes the soap bubbles move. The soapy, foamy solution becomes rather large, hence the name “elephant tooth paste.” Scully had a few incidences where the experiments did not work out. He had not been given the proper solution. This mishap resulted in a failed experiment where liquid did not turn into solid as promised, however he managed to recovered with a witty remark. “In a nearly perfect world, this would produce a crystal... but, not today!” He says, moving on to the next experiment smoothly as though no mistakes occurred. Some of the things presented were kind of gross to see and some where gross to smell, but that’s good entertainment, folks. Watching an 80 year process of poly-dehydration occur in the span of a few seconds was kind of disturbing. This demonstrating was disturbing on account of the fact that sweet, sweet sugar transformed into filthy coal. The kids, and the student sitting to my right, seemed pretty disappointed when a tube of sugar turned black. The second experiment that caused a bit of a fuss was the pickle being jolted with an electrical shock. The room quickly began to smell of burning pickles. Lovely. However, we did UNBC Model United Nations High school Conference BIANCA CHORABIK CLUBS EDITOR Since 1994, UNBC Model United Nations club has been rocking the scene. Currently, Stephanie Leong is the President of Model UN, she, along with other executive members including Czarina Pacaide (VPInternal), Marissa Olson (VP External) and Karen Muir (VP Finance) contribute to the club’s success. Model UN consists of a group of people who simulate UN style debate and negotiation that helps students develop critical thinking and public speaking skills. Working on these skills in a positive atmosphere is a healthy way for people to become a part of a social group, along with many other benefits. A survey was done in the United States that suggested that public speaking is the number one fear, trumping even the fear of death. When honing these skills among friends, it becomes easier to perform in front of an audience, which becomes a necessity in most cases. Whether someone must present in front of their class, for work, or for some other reason, it is important to be able to do so, with as little nerves as possible and competently. Stephanie long is excited to present the event coming up on April 2"? and 3". Here, Model UN will be hosting the annual “UNBC Model UN High School Conference.” This event is where high school students from all over Northern British Columbia are invited to take a part in a two day conference. Each student is assigned a country and is responsible for formulating solutions to international issues. Events such as these bring about controversial issues. It is a time for realization and revolution. Having adolescence discuss their opinions on the world, not just our country, is a very effective way of bringing about change by provoking thought. It is an important to encourage this kind of thought within this younger generation because they will be voters come day and should be able to think critically and ask for The Most Exclusive Club You know who you are BIANCA CHORABIK CLUBS EDITOR Seeing as we’re nearing the end of school, | thought I’d talk about the club that most first years, and some of those “higher up” on the food chain, are a part of. Traditionally, you might not consider your roommates to be your club members and your dorm to be a club. But, they are and it is. You've been assigned to be together on account of your interests in terms of getting up early, drinking and whatever else. This could be considered sharing similar interests, which is step one. You guys work together on a common goal, which is step two... sure the goal might be surviving that loud and obnoxious roommate who plays the guitar in the wee hours of the night, or the roommate who eats all your food from the fridge without permission, but it’s a goal none-the-less. You have a commitment to live and work together until the end of the year, which is step three. The club membership is pretty exclusive, though some people might have pseudo-roommates. You know, the guy across the hallway who's convinced he lives at your dorm. He comes in, without knocking, and steals the couch to watch curling. It’s your dorm, yet he gets more remote privileges than you... not to mention he’s another one stealing food from the fridge. Or, the group of drunks who think it’s cool with you when they all crash on your floor for the night. Yeah, you’re just ecstatic when you wake up, after hearing them bashing on the walls all night, and you have to crawl over them to get to the door. Fun. Just dandy. Their foul stench just add a certain ambiance to the place. The club executives are figure heads whom you hardly see. They aren't your roommates, but your RAs. These can be wonderful people, looking to help the “club members” get along and have a good time. They create activities and organize the meetings. I’ve heard that some can be Nazis, but it’s a hard job, being the “club executive” and managing levels of noise and hoping people are getting along. So, if you were in dorm this year, you know what I’m talking about. You probably learned a thing or two... and if you came with a friend, you’ve either gained a best friend or an arch nemesis. You’ve probably learned to stand your ground, live at the library, or hide in your room. I’m not saying that it's a BAD thing to be a part of this club. No, no. learn a valuable lesson. Due to the salt composition of a human body, which is relatively similar to that of the pickle, if a person were to attempt to walk across a telephone wire, the same thing would happen to them. My favourite experiment was a demonstration of Mentos in Cola. Apparently, there is no need for Mentos in this experiment. That's all a lie, a ploy to get kids buying their products in an attempt to be scientists. All you need is a rock. The nooks and crannies in the rock allow for the absorption of carbon, which is accountable for the big fizzy explosion to occur. So, what would you say is better than a rock? How about a bunch of rocks, also known as sand. The key to a good “Mentos in Cola” explosion is simply putting sand in your Coke or Pepsi. Theoretically, you could drink it afterwards, however, | don’t believe the flavour of flat, sandy Cola is one people enjoy, In the end, the Chemistry Club put on a good act. And, the few mistakes and misshapes along the way added to the comedy behind the magic. The kids thoroughly enjoyed it. Many rushed out of their seats to touch the “snot,” some laughed hysterically and others screamed in reaction to the loud explosions caused by lighting balloons on fire. Just watching the audience itself was rather entertaining. proof on what they are voting for or promoting. Allowing these teenagers to express how they feel about what is going on can also be a liberating experience. Though the high school conference is one of their main events, they have had others in the past, such as the UBC Conference in Vancouver this January. Currently, their club meets every Wednesday at 5:30 near the NUGSS office. Anyone can drop in and they are looking for new members. It is never too late to join. And, they have a succession plan for next year, so seriously consider joining! Your ability to make presentations in class will improve and you can impress your friends! The high school conference is a great opportunity to volunteer with Model UN, if you have not been involved in the club before or missed them at clubs day in September. If you want more information email unbcmun@gmail.com or find them on facebook. It’s a life lesson, with some highlights that compensate for the smelly dorm covered in... what IS that?! Is that mashed potatoes on the ceiling?! Really? Anyway, where was I? Oh, yeah... Dorms are great. Honestly though, being a part of the “dorm club,” can be great. You have social and emotional support whenever you need it. You can ask for help in terms of cooking... or just allow the place to go up in flames; Keyoh seems to be quite fond of that. If your roommates share the same classes as you, you can have group study sessions. Watching movies together, helping each other out and just spending time together is great and very important in maintaining a positive relationship amongst each other. It is better to talk about your issues than simply ignoring them, that’s why there’s an official roommate contract that everyone has to sign. And when it says, “Let us know if you are planning potential “things” because if | wanted a porn, | would rent/ purchase one y’hear,” you better follow the rules. So, are you still thinking about joining the same club next year, or are you going to switch out and hope for better a membership?