Charles Lucy, a professor in the chemistry department at the University of Alberta, prepares to do a Diet-Coke-and- Mentos demonstration as part of an evening event organized by the Edmonton Local Section in March. Lucy’s presentation, called “Colour, Catalysts and Coca Cola” focused on the use of “student world examples” in teaching and public outreach and drew a couple dozen audience members. Drawing on everyday items such as glow sticks and cola, Lucy illustrated how chemical kinetics, Arrhenius behavior, Le Chatelier’s principle, and many other chemical principles underlie daily experiences.