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“Did you eat a MOLEcule today?” An Interactive Demonstration of Molecular Weight with Real-Time Breath Analysis Using Mass Spectrometry for All Ages

Journal Article · · Journal of the American Society for Mass Spectrometry
 [1];  [1];  [2]
  1. Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)
  2. Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States); Univ. of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM (United States)
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Although mass spectrometry is a widely used analytical tool, age-appropriate, interactive outreach activities for laboratory visitors, especially children, are lacking. Furthermore, the presented interactive demonstration, “Did you eat a MOLEcule today?”, introduces all ages to molecular weight concepts and mass spectrometry in a research laboratory, while connecting the concepts to real-world applications. Through real-time breath analysis, participants explore the concepts of molecular weight, electrostatic field manipulation of charged molecules, and analyte identification by mass analysis. This module is rapid and highly adaptable for outreach activities but also includes age- or classroom-appropriate variations to decrease or increase difficulty levels. The presented interactive demonstration has repeatedly been implemented, with over 2300 participants during six annual “Take Our Daughters & Sons to Work Day” and two corporate “Family Day” outreach activities, successfully engaging, exciting, and educating both kids and parents.

Research Organization:
Sandia National Laboratories (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA)
Grant/Contract Number:
NA0003525
OSTI ID:
1872022
Report Number(s):
SAND2022-5587J; 706465
Journal Information:
Journal of the American Society for Mass Spectrometry, Journal Name: Journal of the American Society for Mass Spectrometry Journal Issue: 6 Vol. 33; ISSN 1044-0305
Publisher:
American Society for Mass SpectrometryCopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

References (8)

Good mass spectrometry and its place in good science journal June 2012
A MASSive Laboratory Tour. An Interactive Mass Spectrometry Outreach Activity for Children journal May 2013
Drug contamination of US paper currency journal October 2001
Demonstrating Rapid Qualitative Elemental Analyses of Participant-Supplied Objects at a Public Outreach Event journal September 2016
Reinforcing Mass Spectrometry Concepts through an Undergraduate Laboratory Exercise Utilizing a Direct Analysis in Real Time Enabled Mass Spectrometer journal February 2018
Seeing the “Unseeable,” A Student-Led Activity to Identify Metals in Drinking Water journal August 2020
Supervised Study and the Science Laboratory journal November 1917
The Quantitation of Cocaine on U.S. Currency: Survey and Significance of the Levels of Contamination journal March 2013

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Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
direct analysis in real-time
interactive
ions
mass spectrometry
mathematical methods
molecular weight
molecules
outreach
students