Watch the program online now!
On the occasion of this 50th Anniversary, I welcome your support
for my research and public engagement programs.
Gifts can be made online by clicking here
or by mail to:
Shakhashiri Science Education Fund
UW Foundation
US Bank Lockbox 78807
Milwaukee, WI 53278
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| Bassam had four special lab assistants this year: toy soldiers! |
Dorothy, with her friend the Tin Man, did a rainbow experiment. |
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Dorothy performs
Somewhere Over the Rainbow. |
The Tin Man got his heart! |
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| Bucky visited the lab to do an experiment with lead. |
The luminol spiral glows in the dark. |
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| Dr. Rodney Schreiner changed this 50 copper token to silver to gold. |
Santa learned to make beautiful silver holiday ornaments. |
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| Mike Leckrone, Science is Fun band director, joins Bassam. |
The grand finale! |
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| Bassam is joined onstage by daughter Elizabeth and granddaughter Violet. |
A red and white balloon drop marked the end of this special 50th anniversary show. |
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| Bassam with PBS Wisconsin Director Deb Piper and the anniversary show's Theatrical Director Brian Cowing. |
Bassam with Rita Haddad, Gilbert Haddad, and Myrna Ghorayeb, who traveled from New York and St. Louis for the show. |
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Bassam with Wesley,
Dr. Paul, and Bruce Schweiger. Bruce was Bassam's chemistry student in 1979. |
Thank you Amy for this special surprise in the sesquicentennial year of the Periodic Table. |
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Bassam and his daughter
and granddaughter with
Suzy and Paul Shain. |
Bassam with Jamie, Jenny, and Benny Iskandar. |
~ 2018 ~
View the 12-page printed Program
Watch the 2018 program online now!
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The audience waits for
the show to begin. |
The UW Band helped Prof. Shakhashiri
kick off the show. |
A camera from Wisconsin Public Television captures dry ice bubbling in cylinders. |
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Bucky Badger made an
appearance at this year's
49th annual Christmas Lecture. |
Santa (played by UW-Madison Professor of Voice Paul Rowe) delighted the crowd. |
Dr. Julia Nepper levitated a balloon
using a hair dryer. |
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Prof. Shakhashiri gifted
Prof. Mike Leckrone a brass "50"
to celebrate his 50th year as
leader of the UW Bands. |
Prof. Leckrone also did an experiment: his flask is beginning to turn silver! |
A beautiful violet flame. |
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Dr. Rodney Schreiner brought
a sample of Indium, element 49. |
The Pro Arte Quartet (David Perry, Suzanne Beia, Sally Chisholm, and Parry Karp) performed to everyone's delight. |
The grand finale! |
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A drawing shared by a 9-year-old who attended this year's show. |
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Photos by Eric Baillies |
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~ 2017 ~
View the 12-page printed program
Watch the 2017 program online now!
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| 2017 Guests: Isabelle Krier, Renee Frontiera, Jim Maynard, Gery Essenmacher, Rodney Schreiner |
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| Dr. Renee Frontiera (U of Minn.) discusses the Universal Indicator. |
Now that's a hot book! |
Bucky and the ammonia fountain. |
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| Dr. Rodney Schreiner shows the audience element 48, Cadmium. |
Cadmium Selenide
glows in black light! |
Carbon dioxide gas extinguishes the candle flames. |
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High school junior Isabelle Krier shows off some beautiful,
color-changing liquids. |
Isabelle played the opening segment of Tchaikovsky's Violin Concerto 3rd Movement. |
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| Santa gives Bassam Van Gogh's Sunflowers, which was created using cadmium paints. |
It was another great year! |
These Daisy Girl Scouts from Argyle, led
by Jody Moen, enjoyed the show. |
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Bassam wears one of Santa's gifts: a Science is Fun bowtie! |
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~ 2016 ~
Watch the 2016 Program Online Now!
View the Printed Program
Chemistry Prof Keeps Christmas Cheery for the 47th Time
WPT Blog
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| The crowd is ready for science! |
Bassam and Rodney |
Santa presents Bassam with a silver-plated 47 in honor of the 47th annual Christmas Lecture. |
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| 2016 Special Guests (L to R): Jim Maynard, Rodney Schreiner (Bassam) Indre Viskontas, Gery Essenmacher. |
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"The kids grabbed rubber bands as soon as
they got home, to experience the warmed-
when-stretched phenomenon."
~ Karl Broman, Madison |
At right, a thank you holiday message from one of this year's attendees.
(Click for larger version) |
2015
Watch the 2015 Program Online Now!
More from WPT
Behind the Scenes: Set Design with Philip Ashby
A Quick Message from Prof. Shakhashiri
View the 2015 Program Booklet
News Items:
Tickets available Oct.1 for Shakhashiri's science show via UW-Madison News
Chemist starts holiday season with bangs, controlled fires via The Daily Cardinal
Around Town: After 46 years, science show still inspires awe via the Wisconsin State Journal
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Bassoonists Ross Duncan
and Juliana Mesa Jaramillo |
Bucky brought his own safety goggles. |
The grand finale! |
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| Brianne Kieta and Keanna Lansing of Waunakee |
Gus, Hadden, Easton and Emme Steffen of Wausau |
Coleton Vandervest of Mount Horeb |
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Rodney and Bassam with
Jeff Stobbe, who was in Bassam's class in 1979 and
has been attending the Christmas Lecture ever since. |
Juliana, Rodney,
Bassam and Ross |
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2014
View the 2014 Program Booklet (pdf)
Watch the 2014 Show Online
IMAGES FROM THE 2014 SHOW
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At left: "Thank you for a great show!" ~ Taavi, Boden, Ramse, Kayli, Aziah and Avali
At right: A Summer 2019 visit with Avali, Boden, and Kayli |
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| The UW Varsity Band helped welcome Professor Shakhashiri to the stage. |
Bucky always comes prepared
with his safety goggles. |
Fog is a science fan favorite! |
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| Elizabeth was a special guest in the Christmas Lecture from 1992-2002. |
Celebrating the 45th annual show with a glowing luminol "45." |
Lecture demonstrator Jim Maynard
with Bassam. |
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| Professor of Music and Director of Bands Mike Leckrone was another special guest. |
Santa brought gifts to commemorate the 45th anniversary. |
Bassam showed Prof. Leckrone and Santa how to make holiday ornaments. |
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| The Madison Youth Choir |
Raia demonstrated the Bernoulli Effect with a balloon and hair dryer. |
Santa sang Italian opera! |
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| Bassam's longtime collaborator Rodney Schreiner had fun with foams. |
With a crash of thunder and a swirling tornado, Dorothy appeared! |
Prof. Clint Sprott, of Wonders of Physics, came to congratulate Bassam. |
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| Everyone came back on stage to celebrate at the end of the show. |
Lillian, Jasmine and Oliver Andres, who attend Pittsville Elementary School, enjoyed the show. |
The show wrapped up with more great music from the UW Varsity Band. |
| Photos courtesy of Curt Andres and Dina Boyle |
2013
View the 2013 Program Booklet (pdf)
IMAGES FROM THE 2013 SHOW
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| Bassam kicks off the show by igniting some balloons, always a crowd pleaser. |
Lecture demonstrator Jim Maynard performs the N2OCS2 demo in the dark. |
"Let me just check the instructions for the next demonstration in this book ..." |
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| The Briggs-Rauscher Reaction features dramatic color changes. |
Prof. Marc Fink and Hinano Ishii visit the lab for a musical interlude. |
Dr. Rodney Schreiner has collaborated on 43 of the 44 Christmas Lectures. |
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| How did the flame leap up the stairs? |
Some young science fans greet Bassam after the show. |
Fr. John Silva and students from Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic School, Monona |
2012
IMAGES FROM THE 2012 SHOW
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| Bassam waves hello to the audience at the start of the show. |
Spraying metal salts into a flame produces beautiful colors. |
Lauren Buchanan tests the conductivity of different liquids. |
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| Santa presents Bassam with a periodic table blanket from the ACS. |
What a beautiful Christmas ornament! |
Enjoying a round of applause after the show. |
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