ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related institutions.
*****************************************************************************

For what it's worth, Liquid Nitrogen can actually be picked up, popped in
your mouth rolled around and spat back out.  It's something done by daring
physics and chem. students at some universities.  Now THAT truly is
dangerous - but not because the liquid nitrogen will harm you if done
correctly (it rides around on a layer of gas due to rapid evaporation).
 It's dangerous because if you accidentally swallow it, it will normally
kill you.  A student at one of my alma mater's did this, and is the first
known person to survive swallowing LN.  He was in the hospital for a few
months after.  Essentially the LN quickly evaporates acting like a
mini-explosion inside you and the temperature differential on the way down
your throat also causes scarred tissue and such.


William Katzman                    "The important thing is to never stop
questioning." -A. Einstein
Director of Exhibits               "Are you sure about that Al?" -His wife.
Catawba Science Center
ph: (828) 322-8169 x307
fax:(828) 322-1585
[log in to unmask]

-----Original Message-----
From:   Kay Ziff [SMTP:[log in to unmask]]
Sent:   Wednesday, October 08, 2003 12:57 PM
Subject:        Re: LN2 Graham Crackers

ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related
institutions.
************************************************************************
*****

This is veering away from the topic, but...

A friend of mine throws parties where the highlight of the night is making,
and consuming, LN2 ice cream. It helps that he has a rooftop patio where we
can gather to watch a couple of brave people pour the LN2 into the ice
cream base then stir. After about a minute everyone gets a scoop of the
fluffiest, creamiest ice cream I've ever had. The process is so quick that
we can try multiple flavor combinations in one sitting.

>ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
>Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related
institutions.
>***********************************************************************
******
>
>I know I am going to sound like a buzz kill but:
>
>Giving visitors food is always a little risky.  They can claim any number
of
>ailments because of something they ate -- even a simple cracker.  As a
general
>rule, we always tried not to "give out" eatables.  LN2 is also a risky
thing
>especially when someone is ingesting it.  After all -- its a dangerous
liquid
>and that's why it makes such a great demo.  There is no doubt that, at
best, a
>visitor or presenter could get a burn from too much LN2 and, at worst,
some
>permanent damage.  I know we've all heard stories about broken teeth and
the
>like although I don't know if they are true.  I do that that I have had
>visitors
>complain even when a tiny amount of LN2 splashed on their bare arm.  They
>were only startled but they still complained.  I don't know how your
insurance
>company or risk manager may feel about it, but you might want to consider
>erring
>on the side of caution and keep the LN2 in the complete control of the
>presenter and try to keep it off of and out of the presenter's body.  I
>have worked
>with LN2 a lot and I've never done nor would I do the cracker bit.  But -
you
>have to admit - LN2 is a great crowd pleaser even so.
>
>Mik Jacobs
>Blazing Science
>(407) 761-7469
>www.blazingscience.com
>
>***********************************************************************
>More information about the Informal Science Education Network and the
>Association of Science-Technology Centers may be found at
http://www.astc.org.
>To remove your e-mail address from the ISEN-ASTC-L list, send the
>message  SIGNOFF ISEN-ASTC-L in the BODY of a message to
>[log in to unmask]


  Kay Ziff
  Exhibit Developer

  Bay Area Discovery Museum
  557 McReynolds Road
  Sausalito, Ca 94965
  Phone:  415/339-3922

***********************************************************************
More information about the Informal Science Education Network and the
Association of Science-Technology Centers may be found at
http://www.astc.org.
To remove your e-mail address from the ISEN-ASTC-L list, send the
message  SIGNOFF ISEN-ASTC-L in the BODY of a message to
[log in to unmask]

***********************************************************************
More information about the Informal Science Education Network and the
Association of Science-Technology Centers may be found at http://www.astc.org.
To remove your e-mail address from the ISEN-ASTC-L list, send the
message  SIGNOFF ISEN-ASTC-L in the BODY of a message to
[log in to unmask]