Sharjah24: “An angry gas is a loud gas,” warned the bunch of ‘scientists’ called Brainiacs experimenting with combustible gases, ice and balloons as they performed a range of scientific presentations for primary school children at the 15th edition of the Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival (SCRF) running at Expo Centre Sharjah until May 12.

“An angry gas is a loud gas,” warned the bunch of ‘scientists’ called Brainiacs experimenting  with combustible gases, ice and balloons as they performed a range of scientific presentations for primary school children at the 15th edition of the Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival (SCRF) running at Expo Centre Sharjah until May 12.aBased on the popular eponymous TV show, the “Brainiac Remixed” live show at SCRF was a bilingual treat, and prepared the young crowd for science that surprised them with its magic. The amazing entertainers in lab coats first tested the strength of materials like cling film or polyethylene, plasterboard, and netting by running into them – making a big hole in the first; breaking the second and falling over the third bringing the post down and sending the kids roaring in laughter. 

The experiments with liquid nitrogen, which the Brainiacs explained is 10 times colder than a freezer at -196 degree Celsius, included placing a balloon into a container with liquid nitrogen and making the balloon shrink as the air inside the balloon reduced in volume upon cooling very quickly. 

One quirky Brainiac enthralled the kids by spinning wildly in an office chair propelled by a fire extinguisher that squirted volumes of compressed carbon dioxide into the air. The audience were invited to be part of the Airzooka Challenge where rings of gas blown through barrels, like blowing soap bubbles, had to be caught through hoops. The Brainiacs explained that the Airzooka, invented by Lieutenant Brian Johnson from the US Air Force, uses the difference in air pressure to make a fun toy.

Between the science tricks, a few ‘brainburners’ were thrown at the children – if they could turn their right foot clockwise and write the number 6 in the air with their right hand at the same time; and discover a lion, gorilla, birds and a tree hidden in a silhouette.

As they watched from the safety of their seats often with their ears covered while expecting an explosion, the schoolchildren learnt science the fun way during the hour of science mischief in typical Brainiac style.

SCRF, the largest celebration of knowledge, creativity, art and innovation of its kind in the region, carries the slogan ‘Once Upon a Hero’. More than 1,500 cultural, artistic, and edutainment activities by 190 guests from 25 countries has set the stage for boundless explorations and creative expression along with 470 publishers from 75 countries participating.