Water --> Wine

I'd like to try and replicate something that was done in my school chapel (when I was skiving off Sunday chapel many years ago). I heard about it, and it made me laugh that the Chaplain was essentially promoting science instead of religion.

He demonstrated the water into wine "miracle" with some chemicals picked up from the chemistry lab. I was wondering if anyone knew how to do this?

Basically, anything (relatively) safe that would turn from clear into wine coloured. Add some theatrical acting on my part and you have yourself the second coming!

You can do it using washing soda and phenolphthalein solution. Now I'm not exactly sure where phenolphthalein solution can be brought from these days but it's a pretty standard high school pH indicator as I recall so it shouldn't be too hard to get hold of really. Just don't let anyone drink it (it's not toxic, but it's not exactly good for you either) and don't use too much soda or your red wine will turn out purple! And everyone knows that wine should not be purple. :-)

http://chemistry.about.com/od/chemistryhowtoguide/ht/waterwine.htm

Perhaps we could find some floating shoes and do the whole 'Walking on water' trick!

I would pay good money for the chance to own a pair of floating shoes - and perhaps even more to see someone (not me) try to use them!

Being serious though, couldn't you do that trick more convincingly by perhaps submerging some clear plastic boxes just a centimetre or so under water or something? It would have to be slow flowing and (preferably) slightly murky but just imagine the shock and awe impact of introducing the kids to the camps director by having said director walk across a stream to greet them!

I think I remember seeing a similar programme. I think they tried using a couple divers to hold stepping pads just below the water line.

I like the idea of plastic boxes tied to some shoes! Sounds like an experiment for Sam to try out!
The camp we are looking at has a still stream/rheen where the kids will canoe so the perfect place to try out some new shoes.

Perhaps Nike should be looking into it as there are so many applications.

There should totally be a prize for any kid that manages to work these tricks out

Don't forget to bend a few spoons while you're at it...
Spoon bending trick
(it won't embed)