Wauconda library experiments are a blast

Children ran from the tables as plastic bags began to explode around the room Tuesday at the Wauconda Area Library.

About 40 children in grades 3-5 conducted hands-on experiments using household products that caused chemical reactions during "All Things STEAM: Excellent Explosions."

"We are working on explosions and we are experimenting with different agents and how they react. What happens when you put two things together or three things together and the explosions that happen from that," children's librarian Regina Schauer said. "The kids had a blast with this in the morning. I'm warning you now that this will get messy."

Schauer worked with various experiments that combined baking soda and vinegar, Alka-Seltzer and water, and Mentos and Diet Coke to create elephant toothpaste and make a baking soda volcano.

"This is cool and really fun. It's fun when seeing them about to explode," third-grader Lauren Verde of Volo said after getting wet from an exploding plastic bag filled with baking soda, warm water and lemon juice.