The “Sip N’ Science” event was held at River Bend Nature Center on Sept. 27, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Attendees 21 and older participated in science experiments and chemistry lessons while enjoying alcoholic beverages. Tickets were $25 for non-members and $20 for River Bend members.

Before the event, participants were served hors d’oeuvres, including cheese, crackers, lasagna and meatballs. A TABC-certified bartender offered red and white wine and beer.

Executive director Jennica Lambert and animal care technician Steven Ekwere led the event. The event aimed to educate adults about chemistry, raise awareness for the nature center and generate interest in future programs.

“This is one of the classes in high school I should have paid attention to,” Lambert said. “It literally explains almost every phenomenon on the planet, so it’s something you should look into.”

The first experiment was the “sugar snake,” where attendees combined baking soda, powdered sugar, and lighter fluid in a sand-filled tray to create a fiery black mass.

Lambert explained concepts like van der Waals forces, thermal decomposition, ionic bonds and covalent bonds, adding in some light-hearted adult humor.

“Then we have covalent bonds, which are a little bit weaker, and they just kind of, they just kind of have to be shared, yeah, specifically if this is Hydrogen. Hydrogen is, like a, is a loose woman,” Lambert joked.

Next, attendees created tie-dye bandanas using permanent markers and rubbing alcohol. Attendees drew designs with permanent markers onto their bandana while learning how the alcohol broke down the ink’s bonds with the fabric.

“What would happen if you put water on it? Do you think that the ink, that permanent marker, is soluble? . . . It’s not. You could wash this in water and nothing will happen, because the ink is in a reaction in something that’s not soluble, and, but it will with rubbing alcohol, because it’s a solvent, which is probably another reason we shouldn’t drink it,” Lambert said.

Attendees then took a break for more food and drinks while Ekwere introduced them to some of the creatures in the exhibit hall. Guests had the opportunity to hold a snake and a spider while Ekwere shared interesting facts about them.

The third experiment, “elephant toothpaste,” involved mixing hydrogen peroxide, yeast, dish soap and food coloring to create a colorful foam eruption.

Lambert reminded attendees to wear safety goggles to protect their eyes from the acidic liquid.

“100% make sure you protect your eyeballs. You get one set of eyes. There are not new robot eyes yet so let’s not lose our eyesight,” Lambert said.

The final experiment was making bouncing polymer balls from borax, glue, warm water, cornstarch, and food coloring. Lambert explained how the power and liquid mixture created the balls.

“So, the glue was your starter. It had a polymer called polyvinyl acetate of heating, which crosslinks itself with borax, and then you end up with that thing in your hand, right? Pillow talk,” Lambert said.

Lambert announced that details for the next “Sip N’ Science” event were still to be determined.

She added that the center was considering a crime scene investigation theme where attendees inspect bones to determine a cause of death. She gauged interest from the crowd, who largely supported the idea, even if it meant a higher ticket price.

Lambert expressed gratitude to everyone that attended and hopes to host more programs like it in the future.

“We really appreciate you being here,” Lambert said. “We are a private non-profit, so if you ever looking to donate more, please do so, here specifically.”