Alfred University hosts annual Night of Science and Arts

Alfred University hosted the third annual Night of Science and Arts on Thursday, Oct. 2. Approximately 500 families from the region-including the Corning, Wellsville, Bath, Hornell, and Geneseo areas-spent the evening on campus, taking part in a variety of fun events and demonstrations focused on science, engineering, and the arts.

The Night of Science and Arts is a free event hosted by students and faculty from Alfred University's science, engineering, and arts programs. It is sponsored by the Alfred University and its chapter of the Society of Women Engineers.

Rebecca Welch, assistant professor of glass science engineering and an organizer for the event, said about 85 Alfred University students and a dozen faculty volunteered to staff the event. Volunteers represented several academic programs, including engineering, chemistry, math, environmental studies, psychology, performing arts, and art and design.

"We had many alumni attend the event with their families with one of them stating that this was the first time back on the Alfred campus since graduating (with an engineering degree) in 2001," Welch commented.

Attendees visited the McMahon Engineering Building and Harder Hall Lobby to take in their choices of more than 50 live demonstrations. The demonstrations-focusing on areas ranging from physics and chemistry to mechanical, glass, and ceramic engineering-included exploding thermite reactions, liquid nitrogen ice cream, elephant toothpaste, and flaming gummy bears. There were also interactive demonstrations from Alfred University's School of Art & Design + Performing Arts Division.

Visitors created sugar glass and fiber, watched fire dance to music and gummy bears catch on fire, learned about explosions, and ate cotton candy and liquid nitrogen ice cream. The making of cotton candy demonstrated what glass fiber looks like when bundled together as a fiberglass.

A student volunteer paints the face of a child attending Alfred University's Night of Science and Arts.

A buffet dinner was served at Ade Dining Hall at a discounted family rate; kids 12 years and under ate for free.