Metal Mayhem - with Andrew Szydlo

Chemistry teacher and science demonstration virtuoso Andrew Szydlo is back at the Ri, for an unforgettable evening exploring the exciting world of metals.

Metals make up the bulk of the Periodic Table, and show a huge range of interesting behaviours. From watching liquid metals become solid, to seeing solid metals dissolve before your eyes, Andrew will take us on journey through the weird and wonderful ways in which metals behave and react. Expect lots of flashes, smokes and smells, exciting colourful chemistry, and plenty of flames along the way!

Andrew Szydlo is a chemist and secondary school teacher at Highgate School, well-loved by pupils and Ri attendees alike.

This science extravaganza was filmed in the Ri on 2 November 2019.

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A very special thank you to our Patreon supporters who help make these videos happen, especially:
Andrew McGhee, Anna-Chiara Bellini, Dave Ostler, David Crowner, David Lindo, David Schick, Erik Shepherd, Greg Nagel, Jan Bannister, Joe Godenzi, John C. Vesey, Kellas Lowery, Lasse T. Stendan, Lester Su, Matt Townsend, Osian Gwyn Williams, Paul Brown, Radu Tizu, Rebecca Pan, Robert Hillier, Robert Reinecke and Roger Baker.
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[simonflk]

Dr Szydło was my chemistry teacher in school, some 25 years ago. What can I say? he still has it 💯 I wonder if you're still driving around in a Triumph Herald... Fond memories...

[donnahaynes]

aside from always learning something and being thoroughly entertained, a thing that I very much appreciate about Dr. Szydlo is that he ALWAYS thanks and acknowledges all of his assistants. These programs would be very difficult without helpers, but very few of the speakers who do complicated demonstrations actually acknowledge, much less actually thank, their assistants. Dr. Szydlo, you are a wonderful teacher and a true gentleman. Thank you.

[sophiiaa]

He was my chemistry teacher for a term when I was in Y8 and that was probably the best term of my life. He is an icon in my school and so funny. Every chemistry lesson he would either almost burn down the class or dance around the room. One time he burst out singing the French national anthem. Some of the happiest memories what a guy

[Arsenic]

I just love Andrzej Szydlo's lectures, he's a fantastic educator. I hope he will continue doing what he does for many years to come.

[xjunkxyrdxdog]

This man is the human equivalent of a world heritage site. We need to protect and preserve him for future generations.

[andylane]

Its the need, the desperation to get the information off his chest and into children’s rains that I love. Its like he has been told he has 10 minutes to live and he has to teach his children everything he has ever learned. “I need to show you”. I want to tell you” I need you to see” just incredible.

[tncorgi]

I can only hope to have half the energy and enthusiasm when I reach his age. He's like Doc Brown on Red Bull.

[BrianDickens]

I'm going to watch this lecture in a few moments, but I already know I'm going to like it very much. His RI lectures are done with so much passion it's a wonder he doesn't pass out from hyperventilating because he talks so fast. :)


Mr. Szydlo, thank you very much for all your RI lectures!

[slydawg]

I love learning. Dr. Szydio makes it even more enjoyable. I recommend that he gets a raise. Thank you Royal Institute for your renowned ability to bring us the very best and brightest the world has to offer. Most of us wouldn’t be able to experience lectures of this caliber without you being so forthcoming as to post on YouTube.

[darcassan]

I'd be lying if I said I wasn't immediately excited to see this video in my feed.

[sergejnekrasov]

Finally another video with our most beloved professor szydlo!

[chandlerj]

My brain: “Since this is about metals, there’s no way he’s going to do the hydrogen balloon demonstration.”

1:16:00 “Andrez, do we have the balloons?”

[vortmax]

I love watching Prof. Szydlo, he's so enthusiastic about his work, and it's clear when he lectures

[Nebucatnetzer]

What a great honour to watch another lecture of Mr. Szydlo. Simply an amazing teacher.

[ruimartins]

If we all had teachers like this man, humanity will thrive!!

[RWBHere]

I was wondering how long it would take before we saw the Potassium Permanganate /Glycerin reaction. What a treat to see it used twice! Mr. The thermite reaction is always spectacular.Szydlo is a brilliant teacher of both children and adults. Thank-you.

[BillySugger]

How lovely! This reminds me so much of wonderful science lectures I attended as a child in the 1970s at the Salisbury Playhouse. One was given by the famous Colonel Brian Shaw, who demonstrated explosives in an educational but highly entertaining manner. I distinctly remember his firing a tallow candle through plywood with a musket loaded with black powder! This lovely RI lecture on the chemistry of metals is very much in that style.

[pharmdiddy]

Dr. Szydlo has some of the best lectures :) The wee ones love watching these - all that hard work and energy actually keeps their attention! The thermite was my favorite

[mereblue]

He’s back!! I love his lectures and admire him as a fellow educator.

[chilly]

i dont instantly click anything on this channel.. apart from mr szydlo