Discover the evolution of explosive chemical experiments, with the maestro of chemistry Andrew Szydlo.
Sign up as a KZhead Channel Member to watch the Q&A here: • Q&A: Explosive chemist...
This Discourse was recorded at the Ri on 29 February 2024.
Go on a journey with Andrew's dazzling demonstrations and experiments, interspersed with anecdotes from his life to show a glimpse behind the curtain of this enigmatic man.
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Safety disclaimer: Andrew Szydlo is an expert, trained chemist who has performed these experiments hundreds of times. He has chosen them carefully to fit the Ri Theatre, and has assessed all risks in advance. Please do not try these experiments at home!
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You'll find out more about Andrew's past exploits, including:
1. A daring and "strictly banned" experiment involving the explosive mixture of sodium hypophosphite and potassium chlorate at Latymer Upper School in 1966, resulting in a resounding detonation that reverberated through the entire building. The experiment aims to illustrate the stark contrast between this forbidden concoction and conventional black powder.
2. An unforgettable escapade in 1982, when he tossed sizable lumps of sodium down a drain in Exeter, later transformed into a demonstrative experiment involving the controlled use of sodium pieces submerged in a water-filled Perspex tube.
3. A spectacular chemistry lecture at Cambridge University in 2012, where a tennis ball fired from a mortar blasted a hole through the ceiling of the Myers Squibb Lecture theatre. This momentous event was part of a lecture titled "Fireworks and Waterworks."
4. A thrilling endeavour in 1981, when a mixture of acetylene and oxygen was detonated in a school playing field using a dustbin liner. The shockwave caused the windows of a nearby boarding house to shake, prompting the housemaster to investigate the aftermath, only to find a gaping crater.
5. A run-in with the authorities in Epping Forest in 1980, stemming from the conduct of oversized chemical conflagrations involving butane gas canisters, weedkiller, and sugar. This incident led to the development of a fascinating experiment that demonstrates the ignition of a mixture of icing sugar and potassium chlorate using a drop of concentrated sulphuric acid.
6. A shift in the trajectory of his demonstrations in 1990, when the headmaster of Highgate School banned explosive chemical displays. Inspired by a passionate pupil, Ian Cohen, who had an affinity for magic, Dr. Szydlo transitioned his explosive talks into "Flower Power" magic shows, delivering the same excitement on a grander scale.
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Andrew Szydlo is a chemist and secondary school teacher at Highgate School, well-loved by pupils and Ri attendees alike. He has given public lectures around the country, been featured on TV shows and has become a popular part of the Ri's KZhead channel in recent years, where his videos have over 16 million views in total.
During the past 40 years he has given over 500 talks, in addition to teaching chemistry full-time at Highgate School in London. Today he is still based at Highgate School, delivering chemistry lectures to local schools.
The Royal Society of Chemistry included Andrew as one of their 175 Faces of Chemistry.
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Discourses are one of the Ri’s oldest and most prestigious series of talks. Since 1825, audiences in the theatre have witnessed countless mind-expanding moments, including the first public liquefaction of air by James Dewar, the announcement of the electron by JJ Thomson and over 100 lectures by Michael Faraday. In more recent times, we have had Nobel laureates, Fields medal winners, scientists, authors and artists - all from the cutting-edge of their field. Discourses are an opportunity for the best and brightest to share their work with the world.
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"with Andrew Szydlo" my favorite part of any lecture title, his enthusiasm to teach children makes me feel like a child again myself!
He's who everyone, of any age, would love as a favorite grandparent or great-uncle. He reminds me of my own favorite great uncle Arnold, save that he was a farmer and less energetic. His gentle, patient approach to teaching me things was undoubtedly part of what drove my own parenting, as a teacher to them.
RI, PLEASE NEVER STOP BRINGING ANDREW SZYDLO BACK, his love of science is infectious
Went to watch this live. A hugely entertaining evening - such a great lecturer.
🫡
I wish I lived in the UK. Here in America it's no longer fashionable to embrace science or reason.
@@tncorgi92why? Science or science-fiction is always good, beacouse it trains your brain's muscle...
@@krzysztofwaleska He means the amount of conspiracy theorists and science deniers in Murica
Remember Eric laithwaites lectures on KZhead? Talk about enchanting
Reminded me of my favourite teachers at school who I learned most from. Thank you Andrew Szydlo. I wish there were more like you when I was a kid, in the 70's and 80's... I would have learned soo much more
he's gone insane and i love it
It is so wonderful how Andrew Szydlo teaches! Thank you so much.
Dr. Szydlos basement shenanigans were one of the few high points during the pandemic lockdown. Thank you for that.
Does he have a KZhead channel?
They certainly were!
He does not. The videos from then are on this channel with the title "Szydlo's At Home Science".
Such joy in science and making bangs. This absolutely made my day. Thank you RI and Mr Szydlo.
I love this guy! Give him more space and more pyrotechnics!
I finished watching this lecture with the biggest smile on my face, 10/10. Edit: I would also love to see how he managed to evacuate the RI for the first time!
Every Szydlo lecture is an absolute treasure! What a wonderful mixture of highly entertaining anecdotes and explosions. The cherry on top was seeing that he speaks better Dutch after having exchange students 40 years ago when I was a small child, than I do after living in The Netherlands the last 20 years.
Being Polish, I am proud of this awesome and brilliant teacher! Respect panie Andrzeju!
Mr Szydlo’s enthusiasm for the subject is undiminished, more than 40 years since he taught me. I also remember the Triumph Herald convertibles and the player piano he lovingly restored in the music dept.
If it's not two hours long I'll be disappointed. Andrew is just wonderful! Thank you. 👍😎🇦🇺
This lecture is exactly an hour as it's one of our famous Discourses (find out more about Discourses here: www.rigb.org/explore-science/explore/blog/history-friday-evening-discourse ) - but Andrew certainly packs a lot into 60 minutes!
@@TheRoyalInstitution Haha, thanks for the reply. I look forward to any content from Professor Andrew and The RI channel. I look forward to watching this right now. 👍😎🇦🇺
Andrew's teaching was a part of the reason I ended up with a PhD in the sciences. Better still he inspired my kids through his 'explosive' demonstrations at their school. Long may he continue.
Such enthusiastic lecturer. His joyment in lecturing is contagious 😊
Andrew please, do it again and BIGGER
When you already know his story about the no acid medicine salesmen, then you know you have watched all of Andrews content. This man’s enthusiasm for chemistry is contagious.
all of my favorite RI lectures include Andrew Szydlo in the video title!
Saw this live, Andrew was fantastic 👍
Wish I lived in the UK and could attend his lectures in person!
I love you Prof. Szydlo!
this is the first video with Andrew Szydlo in it and he is a legend I really want him as a chemistry teacher at my school
The RI always has terrific lectures I thoroughly enjoy them, thanks so much. Great job 👏. Peace ✌️ 😎.
I love that he is still doing this performance after a number of years, gets better every time!
What an individual! I long for teachers like him and people who possess the ability to think and articulate their thoughts swiftly. Listening to them is a delight to my ears!
Same here!
that smile on his assistant's face in the background at 11:14 is what it is all about. the assistant must have seen the routine countless times, yet can't help be impressed.
The things he mentioned he couldn't translate ("acetylene" and "silver acetylide") are "acetylen" and "acetylenek srebra" in Polish. Somewhat recognizable. The phrase "dobrze wybucha, gdy to się podpali" means "it explodes nicely when ignited".
Doctor Andrew Zbigniew Szydło and his ever-dependable technician Andres Tretiakov! The dynamic duo strikes again! Always a pleasure to experience Szydło's enthusiasm and loquaciousness. I've seen them demonstrate this explosive chemistry lecture previously (or all of the parts thereof). Loved watching it again. The slideshow was quite endearing.
Andrew has done the annual fireworks lecture for our ChemSoc at the University of Sheffield a number of times, he is always fantastic. Real science and great entertainment. That exploding dustbin still gets me every time.
Beautiful lesson. 1 hour of funny stories and very very interesting chemistry. I think I also improved my English translating all you said so fast. Thank you Doctor for this lesson. I was glad to be able to listen to your lesson.
🇳🇱 👌 heel goed uitgesproken, bijna niet te onderscheiden van een Nederlander. Dankuwel!
Ben even benieuwd : waar gebeurt dit?
@@jjwubs1638 Royal institution London
The speed and Enthusiasm of this Lecture was fantastic! The Dual Boring/ Exciting reactions (explained for all to understand) really show someone in love with Science. I wish I had this man for my Chemistry Lessons. Part 2 please x
Hats off!
Absolutely 🫡
First lecture to nail the timing. I'm speechless - perfection!
This man never disappoints, he is always very respectful to his assistants, I wish he were my teacher, I have great respect for this man, he has a such a large fire burning in him for science that he can share a spark with everyone, that hopefully starts many more fires, Thank You my good sir, for your time and effort!
I love Andrew's lectures he is so enthusiastic about chemistry it's infectious and of course people like that draw pupils in and make the subject more fun and informative.
I think that everybody wishes that he had been their chemistry teacher!
His enthusiasm is contagious.
Always a treat to watch a presentation by Mr. Szydlo! His Dutch is still quite good, chapeau!
It is always great to see Andrew Szydlo do these experiments. Very entertaining. I would have loved to have him as a teacher. I just like the way he does things. This particular lecture was more into his life as a chemist. It was great to hear about his past. Loved the pictures, old video, things from his school days, etc. Can’t wait to see another one of Andrew’s lectures again, especially with fire and explosions. 🤪😀😂. Virginia, USA.
Does anyone else remember Colonel B D Shaw and his lectures on explosives? Pound to a penny that Dr Szydlo does.
Andrew Szydlo the teacher i always wanted but never had. I was so happy to see a video pop up in my recommended with his name on it. I could listen to him al day! Superb!
I have adored all of Andrew Szydlo's presentations, thank you so much for all of this spectacular content. I am in tears, relating to his hardships with teacher's when he was younger. I was failed by my high school physics teachers for many of the same reasons he received criticism, and today I run my own engineering consultancy business in thermodynamics and electrical engineering. The premise that a passion for science is what is most important for success and enjoyment, is so true! That he continues to inspire passion in the chemists and scientists coming along behind us all is so virtuous.
"Curb your loquacity" would make a great t-shirt.
I didn't think it was possible, but I think Dr. Szydlo's stage presence has improved yet further.
I hope we find the secret to human biological immortality while Dr. Szydlo is still alive as he is a treasure of education and passion.
'PYROMANIA' -- 'Def Leppard'... What an amazing man , what a great teacher , I bet his pupils were so looking forward to his chemistry class .I loved magnesium ribbon once lit ....hes like 'Magnus Pike' ,for us that remember him ....marvellous men...respect
when I was in High School we had a science teacher who made science very interesting to the point everyone paid strict attention in what he was doing. This was not just to learn the science but to be ready to exit the room via the most convent exit including the windows, which were always kept open.
One time at a party, my mate crushed a bunch of sparkler powder into a tennis ball, that he'd cut a hole in. Next minute he was seen naked on the roof performing a handstand, whilst illuminated by the sparkler fountain. It was a synergetic moment of chemistry and performance arts in the Australian suburbs.
I'm not ruling it out but I don't think that's a science demo RI would host
,,Dobrze to wybucha, gdy...''. Uwielbiam te wykłady. Dziękuję panie Szydło!
Thank you from India
What a joy to see the demonstrations!
Always a delight & joy to watch Andrew :D
I do love listening to Andrew and his stories of what he got up to over the years, a proper teacher that knows how to get the point across while having lots of fun too... :D
Watching that was a lot of fun. That one with the shooting ping pong balls seems similar to the historical muzzle loading guns.
By far my favorite and always entertaining
science / chemistry was the only classes i payed attention to best classes ever
I love the enthusiasm and how hectic he is, really makes it enjoyable to watch i always enjoyed science.
absolutely awesome video, love how excited he is to share something he loves! Cheers mate!
His energy and enthusiasm is contagious.
Szydlo is the best!!!
What a hero of education!🎉 As they say, education is all about lighting fires and not filling barrels.
Really enjoyable lesson!! Thank you very much!
Has Andrew's name been put forward for the honours list yet? An MBE, OBE or something? Surely deserving.
Great Prof.Andrew is back.....yippee....cant get enough of him.....
Andrew pls, we need more "Szydlo's at home". So we can see you more often since you are at home. A pleaseure to see you every time.
Only a few minutes in but I love this man's enthusiasm so far, what a showman!
Love this man! A national treasure indeed.
We all need an Andrew Szydlo in our school lives.
one of the worlds greatest science communicators!!!
Love this
SUCH FUN AND INSPIRATIONAL ... A pity schools can't/won't do this kind of thing now. Every chemistry teacher should show this kind of science to their class.
My high school science teacher did demos like these, always with fun bangs or violent reactions, but that was 40 years ago. No way he would be allowed now.
More Please. I would like more!
thank YOU very much !
I’m fan of professor Szydlo. New lecture, hooray!
32:46 is a straight up album cover if I've ever seen one.
Brilliant!
I wish I had a teacher like this
This guy is a treasure!
I loved this lecture and his knowledge in this field but I feel I have to say it at least once ”art is an explosion”
Inspiring
Greetings from Popayan, Colombia. Great lecturer.
@43:12 Andrew Szydlo - blowing up the place since 1982 🤣🤣
I looked up "loquacious" and there was a picture of.... wait for it... HIM!
great to see also polish language used! Profesors name and last nane are quite revealing but now it is clear that he is active speaker and not only descendant of polish parents or grandparents. Dziekuje za piekne prezentacje I pasje do cheemii!
Love his enthusiasm. I need a sleep now to digest.
Thank you very much, indeed!
amazing!
I wish I could re-like this one with additional views. I’d play it on a loop for days.
This man has taught me so much about blowing things up.
Oh, how I would love to have Andrew as my chemistry teacher
I wish all kids were taught like that
I keep potassium permanganate at home for emergencies - fire starting and water purification
Thats incredible. Andrew Szydlo looks a like profesor Proton from Big Bang Theory. Even same diction, color of voice. Shortly identical type of chemist.
Goddamn, I love Andrew Szydlo. I never get tired of his introductory story. But I'm not sure a kid growing up in Shepherds Bush today would be short of pocket money ... (I wrote a whole little script depicting a kid asking for a "chemistry set" in Shepherds Bush in 2024, but I deleted it because it felt mean. And it included parents' references to Pol Roger and Xanax.)
igniting!
I guess the fact that he is still alive proves he really does know his chemistry.
lovely gentleman
excellent - passionate person :D
Carbon disulphide, insanely expensive now, I think it's banned from general purchase for most placed throughout the UK, unless you're part of major industry, in which case, you'd be making it yourself to save on cost