ESP Biography

Would you drink black water? Clear Pepsi? How about using pink butter or green ketchup? Believe it or not, these products actually existed, and not that long ago either. But there is a reason these food fads did not last. Consumers prefer that the color of food matches its flavor. Through a series of hands-on activities, this class will investigate the chemistry of food colorings, giving students the chance to understand how both natural and artificial dyes are used in what they eat and drink every day.

What do you think of when you hear the term "fanfiction"? Whether you consider yourself an expert on the topic or don't know anything about it, we invite you to join this session and discuss what fanfiction is (and isn't), who creates fanfiction and why, and why fanfiction can be considered a literary genre of its own.

Like Pentatonix? Hamilton? So do we! We are Stanford O-Tone: one of Stanford's many and varied a cappella groups. Together we'll be learning how to harmonize, beatbox and blend—and finding out how to control vocal muscles you never knew you had voluntary control over. This workshop will focus on all the basic skills you need to sing a cappella with a group. Absolutely no experience required.

O H , S Na P! Something’s gone wrong in the Stanford chemistry labs! We can’t find our beloved Professor Gen Hydro and there’s evidence everywhere of trickery afoot. We need your help! You have 50 minutes to find out what’s happened before the culprit strikes again. You will solve a series of chemistry-related problems to identify the perpetrator. Once you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth.

What makes food power you? In this class, we'll look at the chemistry behind our digestive system and how chemical reactions work to get the energy our bodies need from food. We'll also explore lots of cool chemical properties of food, like pH. Plus, there will be plenty of samples for students to eat!

Learn the basics of photography using chemicals! Today, almost every phone has a camera, and every camera today uses electronic technology. But did you know digital cameras only started becoming popular 20 years ago? Before then, photography was done with chemistry. In this class, we'll talk about some of the processes used and then you can make your own chemical photograph using the cyanotype process, which is the origin of the term "blueprint."