UW-Madison News Release--Shakhashiri program
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
12/2/2003
CONTACT: Bassam Z. Shakhashiri, (608) 262-0538, bassam@chem.wisc.edu
'ONCE UPON A CHRISTMAS CHEERY' PROGRAM HITS 35-YEAR MARK
MADISON - Chemistry professor Bassam Shakhashiri is marking 35 years of making science fun for the community with his annual Christmas program at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Shakhashiri, described by Encyclopedia Britannica as "the reigning dean of lecture demonstrators," says that "Once Upon a Christmas Cheery in the Lab of Shakhashiri" is his way of sharing the joy of doing science with "kids of all ages."
"It is my holiday gift to the community," says Shakhashiri, the William T. Evjue Distinguished Chair for the Wisconsin Idea. The purpose, he says, is to try to both inspire children to take an interest in science, and to motivate adults to encourage their children in the subject. But mostly, he says, it's to have fun.
The program will feature experiments with exploding balloons, floating soap bubbles and mystery guests including Santa Claus and Bucky Badger. Many of this year's demonstrations will feature element No. 35 on the periodic table, bromine.
This Christmas program, Shakhashiri says, follows in the tradition of the 19th century British scientist Michael Faraday, who would gather children at the Royal Institution on Christmas Day to interest them in science.
"I borrowed from him the important responsibility of sharing the joy of science with kids of all ages," Shakhashiri says. "But I've been doing it a lot longer than Michael Faraday did it."
"Once Upon a Christmas Cheery" has been a hit since he began it for his students as a review of the semester and a preview for the next. Word spread about the performance, and soon it was a packed house.
Over the years, more shows were planned to accommodate the crowds. It also has traveled around the country, playing at venues such as the National Academy of Sciences and the Smithsonian Institution. Once, Shakhashiri says, he even had the vice president and his family in the audience.
"This attracts people from all walks of life," he says. "It's especially rewarding when former students bring their own children to see it."
"It's popular," says UW-Madison Chancellor John Wiley, who will be participating in this year's program, "because Professor Shakhashiri makes serious and complex scientific points in ways that are sometimes humorous, sometimes startling, sometimes amazing and always entertaining. He's just a natural and charming showman."
Shakhashiri says, "This is in the best tradition of the Wisconsin Idea. We share the richness of science with all people."
Tickets for the programs on Dec. 4-5 are no longer available. However, the show will air on Wisconsin Public Television stations including WHA-TV, Channel 21 in Madison, at 4:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 24, and at 9 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 26. Check local listings for dates and times of the telecast on PBS Television Stations nationwide.
More information: http://www.scifun.org/xmaslect/xmascheery.htm
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