Luminol in the Classroom

Thanks to a good friend, I was able to get my hands on some luminol solution-- the stuff used in crime scenes to detect blood. I considered showing my students the demonstration on Halloween, but later decided to do it as part of my chemical & physical change unit (mainly because I will have my first formal observation). Apparently, the reaction is perfect, in the sense that it creates light and no heat energy. The only thing missing from this procedure is that you need to add to the peroxide a 10:1 water:bleach solution.

Rock Candy, Super-saturation and Halloween, oh my!

In honor of Halloween and my solutions unit coincidentally happening concurrently, I've decided to give my students rock candy instead of the usual fun-sized goodies. Besides, who has time to read ingredient labels for peanuts/gluten/Kosher and any other dietary restrictions?? In the past, I've attempted to make rock candy in class, but it never seems to work properly. It ends up forming a giant crystal layer on the top, and the container ends up being spilled by a trouble making student. So, I'll make epsom salt crystals as a demonstration, and simply give them food-grade rock candy to calm their nerves and prevent the chorus of can we pleaseeee make rock candy?! Rock Candy in bulk is surprisingly cheap, too!