Editing Vanishing Peanuts (section)

== Demonstration ==

;Presentation (Stage):
# Set the bowl on the table, and set a large amount of polystyrene next to it. Ask the audience to guess how much of it you can fit in the bowl. Try (and fail) to fit it all in the bowl. Let the audience know that you have a trick to make it all fit!
# Take the polystyrene out of the bowl. Pour enough acetone into the bowl to make a thin layer on the bottom (around 2-3 cups, or 500-700mL)
# Now start putting the Styrofoam into the bowl one piece at a time, and have the audience watch the pieces as they shrink into the bowl! Don't show them the inside of the bowl yet, but point out the fizzing they hear, and ask for ideas on what is happening. 
# After sticking a few pieces into the bowl, scoop some of the polystyrene goo from the bottom and show it to the audience. Stick a small piece of polystyrene into the goo to show that it is "melting" into it. Be sure to finish by sticking all of the polystyrene into the bowl to prove that you can fit all of it in!

;Presentation (Hands-on):
# Set out the two bowls, one with water and the other with Acetone. You may want to bring something to cover the acetone bowl to keep the fumes at a minimum. Have a pile of polystyrene next to the acetone bowl, and a pile of cornstarch peanuts next to the water bowl.
# As students come up, have them put a peanut in each bowl and watch what happens. The cornstarch peanut will melt and dissolve in the bowl of water, and the polystyrene peanut will dissolve into the acetone!
## Have students wear a rubber glove when they are putting the polystyrene into the acetone. Acetone can dry out the skin, and it will take off any nail polish they might have on.
# After several pieces of polystyrene have been dissolved in the acetone, you will be able to pick up the blob and let students play with it. When you first take it out, set it aside on a paper towel for a few minutes to let some of the acetone evaporate. Afterwards, kids will be able to mold it, stretch it and see the difference between the solid polystyrene and the packing foam!