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The Exploratory in Bristol had a Flame Chemistry interactive exhibit.

The visitor could slide a wire loop horizontally and choose to dip it 
down into one of 6 different chemicals in solution.  A wall of glass 
with a slot in it seperated the visitor from the chemicals and the 
flame.

After dipping the wire loop you raised it up to slide it over to the 
flame burner. Turned on the flame for a timed interval and see the 
characteristic color of that chemical. I vaguely remember a 
diffraction grating being available so you could also choose to view 
the spectral fingerprint of each chemical.

It was an impressively engineered exhibit and popular with visitors 
who were compelled to sample all 6 chemicals and then go back and 
resample them again.  I believe that Richard Gagnon who built the 
flame chemistry exhibit at Science Museum of Minnesota was inspired 
by seeing the Exploratory's Flame Chemistry exhibit.  The Exploratory 
is no longer (transformed into Explore@Bristol) but there is a short 
description of the exhibit here.
http://www.exploratory.org.uk/exhibits/chemistry.htm

>Does anyone have any exhibits, or does anyone have any type of
>programming, where visitors directly interact with fire?  I'm thinking
>anything like Bunsen burners or any of that stuff.  Did you have any
>problems getting approval/permission to do have fire?  Have you had any
>problems with safety or anything else?  Any other thoughts?
>
>Thanks,
>Phil Keck
>Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago
>
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-- 

Claire

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message  SIGNOFF ISEN-ASTC-L in the BODY of a message to
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