Chemistry is not among the favorite subjects for most Bulgarian pupils. However, it becomes a hobby for children and adults when they join chemistry demonstrations. Quite often, students and scientists hold chemistry lessons and make safe experiments. As a result, children watch various colored solutions and lights, which are often accompanied with detonation and smoke. And all that is done for the sake of science and its future.

The Earth and Man Museum in Sofia is the most popular place for experiments and chemistry tests in October 2015, where all volunteers can join the experiments. A children's laboratory for applied and entertaining chemistry is also held there. The event is visited mainly by pupils from the elementary schools. Bulgarian students who performed successfully at international competitions in natural science make interesting experiments, in order to show the exciting side of chemistry.

Vladimir Milov who studies chemistry at Sofia University Saint Kliment Ohridski supports the idea of a popular science. He prepares carefully his flasks and test-tubes, in order to avoid making any mistakes during the presentation of his experiments to his young friends. Here is what Vlado told Radio Bulgaria about his past experience in that science:

“People must start studying chemistry and biology at a very early age. I have noticed that chemistry and biology are the most difficult subjects for pupils from the upper grades. Children must start studying them in the lower grades, in order to gain proper knowledge. The classes should be accompanied with more practical lessons and interesting experiments. We demonstrate motion of various liquids and also show colorful substances which attract the interest of the younger pupils. There are no detonations in our experiments, because our activity is mainly directed towards the youngest ones. Besides, we make experiments which can be done even at home, so that children can study and enjoy themselves at the same time. We also reveal a secret to the children - how to determine the quantity of vitamin C in their food.”

Martin Nedyalkov makes braver demonstrations with his favorite science. The older pupils, who have already stepped into the “deep waters of chemistry”, always admire his tests. Martin studies Chemistry and Pharmacy and has been part of the University Corpus for Rapid Scientific Detonation. Here is what he told Radio Bulgaria about his experience in various scientific demonstrations:

“All students from the University can join the Corpus for Rapid Detonation. It deals with various scientific detonations, colored flames, solutions and compounds. People like the bright and variegated experiments. They enjoy the light effects which occur during the chemical reactions, but they love scientific detonations the most. The idea of our corpus is to promote chemistry and show the pupils and their parents that this subject is not boring and can be very attractive, entertaining and even exciting. We tour the whole country with the project named Mobile Laboratory. We already had demonstrations in Sofia, Varna, Burgas, Kozloduy, Gabrovo and other Bulgarian cities. We receive warm welcome in all parts of Bulgaria and people enjoy our experiments a lot. We organize 5 or 6 experiments at a time and allow people to feel the thrill of dealing with chemistry themselves. The feeling is incredible when you have the chance to make a chemistry experiment with your own hands. I personally love making scientific detonations. You see and hear interesting things, but sometimes it can be dangerous. That is why one must know well all substances and compounds. Even a small mixture with another substance could sharply change the chemical reaction and cause an accident. My task is to be careful and protect the audience from accidents during the experiments. Water is among my favorite compounds. It is quite interesting, because it causes a series of abnormalities in nature. Scientists continue examining that substance and we are yet to learn the whole secret of water”, Martin Nedyalkov concluded.

English version: Kostadin Atanasov