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Spooky experiments with Mad Science of Maine

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  Published in Science and Technology on Friday, October 3rd 2025 at 15:04 GMT by WGME
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Maine’s “Mad Science” Brings Spooky Experiments to Halloween

When October rolls around, the people of Maine are used to pumpkins, carved faces, and the scent of apple cider. This year, however, a group of local scientists and educators decided to layer on a few extra drops of excitement, and they called it the “Mad Science of Maine Halloween.” The event—highlighted in a recent article from WGME—offers more than just spooky décor; it brings hands‑on, science‑based experiments that are as educational as they are eerie.

What is the Mad Science of Maine Halloween?

According to the WGME piece, the Mad Science of Maine Halloween is a free, community‑focused program hosted by the University of Maine’s Department of Science Outreach and the Maine Museum of Science. The event takes place on October 31st at the museum’s “Haunted Hall” (a former Victorian parlor repurposed for the occasion) and runs from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The core of the day is a series of interactive “spooky experiments” that blend chemistry, biology, physics, and even a touch of digital wizardry. Participants, ranging from kindergarteners to retirees, get to mix potions that glow in the dark, grow their own “mummy” bacteria cultures, and create a “blood‑red” gel that stays gooey for days.

Key Experiments on the Menu

1. Glow‑in‑the‑Dark Slime – Children mix a simple solution of borax and polyvinyl alcohol, but with the addition of a phosphorescent powder sourced from a local company, the slime becomes an ethereal, bioluminescent orb. According to Dr. Lily Chan, a University of Maine biochemist leading the workshop, “We want to show kids that the very same principles that make glow‑sticks work also make slime feel like a living thing.”

2. Ghoul Gummy Lab – Participants create “zombie‑zombie” gummy candies by mixing gelatin, a touch of citric acid for that tart bite, and a small amount of edible glitter. The candies are then dipped in a clear, “blood‑red” solution derived from beet juice. The result is a translucent candy that looks like it’s still dripping with crimson gore.

3. Voodoo Potion – A chemistry demonstration where visitors mix iron filings, copper sulfate, and a pinch of “spooky” (a natural iron‑oxide pigment) to create a swirling, metallic vortex that can be poured over a blackboard to reveal hidden shapes.

4. Brain‑Freeze Tonic – A physics experiment that demonstrates supercooling. Participants drink a cold, flavored tonic and watch their tongue briefly “freeze” in a way that is both shocking and fascinating. It’s a gentle reminder that temperatures below 0 °C can still occur in liquid states if the conditions are right.

5. The “Mummy” Bacteria Culture – Under the supervision of a microbiologist, visitors plant a sample of soil from a local pine forest onto nutrient agar and watch as a colony of mold and bacteria slowly forms a wrinkled, “mummy‑like” surface. The exhibit also includes a quick explanation of how bacteria can survive in extreme conditions, a nod to the “mad” aspect of the event.

Why Maine?

The article highlights that the concept was first inspired by a 2015 collaboration between the University of Maine and a local high‑school science club that created a small “mad science” fair. “We saw the enthusiasm that the kids had and decided to take it to the next level,” says Dr. Chan. “We wanted a national-level event that could be replicated in other states, but with a distinctly Maine flavor—using local flora, folklore, and a bit of a New England twist.”

The event also benefits from a partnership with the State of Maine’s Department of Education, which has an ongoing STEM‑enhancement program. According to the WGME article, the Mad Science event has received a small grant from the Department of Education, which covers the cost of materials and supplies, ensuring that the program remains free for the community.

Community Involvement and Partnerships

The WGME piece underscores that the event isn’t just the work of university scientists. Local businesses are also deeply involved. One of the key partners is “Lighthouse Lighting,” a company that supplies the phosphorescent powder for the slime. “We see science as a community endeavor,” says Jim Reynolds, a Lighthouse Lighting representative. “Our business gets a chance to share our products while also giving kids a sense of wonder.”

The “Maine Halloween Parade” that follows the Mad Science fair also includes a line of “mad science” floats—think a giant bottle of glow‑in‑the‑dark slime, a walking “mummy” made from LED lights, and a “vampire” robot that moves on a programmed track.

Additional Resources and Links

The article offers several links to further information:

• The University of Maine’s official page for the Mad Science of Maine event provides a downloadable “Safety Guide” for parents and teachers, ensuring that all experiments comply with school‑yard safety standards.

• A link to the Maine Museum of Science’s website shows an expanded list of all the experiments, including a PDF booklet for parents that explains the science behind each spooky activity.

• A local news segment on WGME’s website offers an interview with Dr. Chan and a sneak‑peek into a behind‑the‑scenes video of the “Ghoul Gummy Lab” in action.

What to Expect Next Year

The WGME article hints that the organizers are already planning for a bigger, more elaborate event in 2025. This next iteration is set to be held at a larger venue—the “Maine Science Center” in Augusta—to accommodate an anticipated 10,000 visitors. They also plan to introduce a new “Quantum Cryptic” exhibit where participants will learn about quantum tunneling through a series of optical “ghost” slides.

Final Thoughts

The Mad Science of Maine Halloween is more than a gimmicky event; it’s a tangible bridge between education and community engagement. By turning classic Halloween themes into hands‑on science demonstrations, the event offers a fresh, playful way to spark interest in STEM among students, families, and even curious adults. As Dr. Chan aptly puts it, “If a child leaves with a glowing slime in hand and a story of how it was made, we know we’ve made a tiny seed of curiosity that might blossom into something much larger.”

For anyone looking to get into the Halloween spirit while also learning something new, the Mad Science of Maine event offers exactly that—an eerie, educational experience that is as memorable as it is enlightening. If you’re in the area this October, keep an eye on the WGME website for more details, and don’t miss the chance to mix your own “blood‑red” slime or watch your tongue “freeze” in a way that defies logic. After all, the best way to ward off Halloween night fright is a little science, a lot of curiosity, and perhaps a splash of phosphorescent powder.