Kids have fun with Mr. Freeze and cryogenics at Ela library

Mr. Freeze held up a small bottle and a big bottle and asked the kids which one they wanted to see explode.

In a loud chorus, the children screamed for the bigger bottle.

Jerry Zimmerman, also known as Mr. Freeze, demonstrated fun properties of cryogenics for children at Ela Area Public Library in Lake Zurich. Zimmerman, from Fermilab near Batavia, discussed the properties of liquid nitrogen and its effects on air, liquids and solids.

“I want kids to think that science is exciting, science is fun, and that science is fun to learn in school,” he said. “Whenever I do a show, everybody is a little bit 'Wow!' and excited. They love seeing something blow up.”

Mr. Freeze filled a large pop bottle with a small amount of water and liquid nitrogen and closed the top. He placed it in a large, cardboard box and parents and children alike ran to the back of the room. Within seconds, there was a loud boom and pieces of paper and plastic floated to the ground.

“It was great. The pop of the bottle was pretty loud and I ran to the back of the room and was hiding when it exploded,” said Alina Mower, 7, who was part of the Ela Township Liberty Lakes Shooting Stars Summer Camp.