A white haired man in a lab coat performs science experiments before a captive audience.

John Dolhun (PhD '73), kicks off Marvelous Molecules at Play.

Photo by Michelle Contos

A young woman in a lab coat and a hijab inserts liquid into a bottle.

Adeena Kahn creates a chemical reaction.

Photo by Michelle Contos

A room full of students sitting in chairs.

The captive audience of accepted students.

Photo by Michelle Contos

A young woman in a hijab, a white haired man, and a bald man in an orange shirt stand in a room, wearing lab coats.

From left: Adeena Kahn, John Dolhun and Chemistry's Environment, Health and Safety Coordinator Scott Ide.

Photo by Michelle Contos

A chemical reaction results in a squiggle of foam erupting from a glass bottle.

The illustrious Elephant Toothpaste reaction!

Photo by Michelle Contos

A white haired man and a dark haired woman in lab coats create a reaction.

John Dolhun and Amanda Trainor create a reaction using dry ice and a balloon.

Photo by Michelle Contos

A white haired man in a lab coat pulls a shriveled balloon from a container full of dry ice.

A balloon immersed in dry ice.

Photo by Michelle Contos

A white haired man stands beside a young woman with dark hair, in front of a table laden with various materials for science experiments.

Dr. Dolhun kicks off Marvelous Molecules at Play with his first audience volunteer.

Photo by Michelle Contos

Marvelous Molecules in Play Dazzles at Campus Preview Weekend

by Danielle Doughty | Department of Chemistry |
Categories: Staff, Students

Accepted students gathered to experience a spectacular array of chemical reactions.

To kick off the 2022 Campus Preview Weekend, on April 7, admitted members of the MIT undergraduate class of 2026 were invited to experience a thrilling hour of chemistry magic presented by Undergraduate Teaching Lab Director Dr. John Dolhun (PhD ’73).

Dolhun gave a spectacular demonstration, and engaged the group of future first-years with visually dazzling experiments, including magical polymers, flaming vapors, chemiluminescence, the trial of a gummy bear, and other celebrations of chemical reactions. Over the course of the hour, several audience members enthusiastically volunteered to participate in the experiments.