Reminder: Scientists' Night at the science museums and 10 campuses across the country

A chemistry experiment conducted by Ilan Ramon in space will be recreated on the Night of the Scientists in the largest mass chemistry class in the world * The class will be held at the initiative of the Ministry of Science and Technology at ten research and science institutions throughout the country

The Ministry of Science and Technology initiated a mass experiment in chemistry in which every child and adult can participate even without prior knowledge of science. The experiment, which will take place on September 22, 2011 as part of the "Night of the Scientists" events at ten research and science institutions throughout the country, is a reconstruction of the "Chemical Garden" experiment conducted by the first Israeli astronaut in space, Col. Ilan Ramon, in memory of the shuttle "Columbia". As part of the initiative, the participants will try to set a new Guinness record in the category "the largest mass chemistry class held in several places at the same time

The "Scientists' Night", held every year throughout Europe since 2007, is a night of varied scientific events and activities for the whole family. On this evening, all research and science institutions across the country open their doors to the general public free of charge and offer face-to-face meetings with scientists, laboratory tours, lectures, experiential workshops, sessions and diverse activities. This year, the events under the banner of "Chemistry in the service of the community" will be held on the occasion of the International Year of Chemistry announced by the United Nations.

The Night of Scientists events will begin at 17:00 p.m. The record-breaking event will begin at 19:00 at the same time in ten research and science institutions throughout the country: the Madatech Science Museum in Haifa, Weizmann Institute, The Hebrew University in Jerusalem, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Haifa University, Bar Ilan University, Tel Aviv University, Bloomfield Science Museum in Jerusalem, the Sami Shimon Academic College of Engineering in Be'er Sheva, the Science Garden in Kiryat Yam, Ort College in Rauda and the Sea and Lake Research Institute in Eilat.

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The "Chemical Garden" experiment was presented to Ramon in 2003 by a group of high school students and was carried out by him about six hours after the shuttle lifted off. The purpose of the experiment was to examine the mechanism of crystal growth in a "glass water" solution under the conditions of gravity in space. In the mass class that will be held on the "Night of the Scientists", the participants will examine the chemical reaction under the conditions of gravity on the surface of the earth. As part of a short lesson that will include explanations and demonstrations, there will be an experiment during which each participant will mix crystals of the materials calcium chloride, copper chloride and iron trichloride in their own personal kit into a solution of "glass water". The mixing creates a chemical reaction that within a few minutes grows the crystals together upwards and the product is a compound in the colors of the Israeli flag - blue and white - surrounded by a gold colored reaction.

Following a request from the Ministry of Science and Technology, the Guinness Book of Records approved the conduct of the experiment for the purposes of registering a new world record in the book. This record will be the first of its kind in the world and its confirmation as a new record depends on the number of participants who will come to participate in the experiment at the same time in the ten science and research institutions participating in the initiative. The current record now stands at 562 participants in a chemistry class held in Belgium.

According to the Minister of Science and Technology, Prof. Daniel Hershkovitz, "the goal of the initiative is to bring the general public closer to science and to continue the path of Ilan Ramon. Each participant in the experiment will be able to feel like a little scientist and together the participants will try to set a new Guinness world record that will be added to the list of decorations and awards that Israeli science is proud of."

Rona Ramon, chairman of the Ramon Foundation, which works to promote excellence and values ​​in society through the field of science, technology and space, welcomed the initiative and said: "In his mission to space, Ilan sought to perform scientific experiments that would benefit all of humanity and contribute to scientific research. The initiative to reproduce the chemical garden experiment and to involve as many teenagers as possible in this unique challenge continues Ilan's path. Through his space mission he wanted to bring children and youth closer to science and contribute to raising Israel's profile in the world in the scientific field.

The experiment is open to the general public of all ages free of charge and without the need for prior knowledge and is safe to use. Full details on the website of the Ministry of Science and the Facebook page of the Night of the Scientists.