The Brain

This year, Kate decided to do her science project on the brain. When I mentioned this to my co-worker John, he kindly offered to lend us his brain mold, which he got from The Anatomical Chart Company. (Check out their Halloween section!) So, with 6 packages of peach-flavoured Jello, a can of evaporated milk and a few drops of food colouring, we ended up with the gloriously icky, springy blob shown above.

Kate's brain was quite the success at the school's science-fair open house and attracted a lot of people to her booth. (Usually, it's the hamsters that draw in the crowds.) Most people would take a look and walk past quickly with a loud "EEWWW" or "YUCK!!!" interjection, but then they'd slowly head back, with finger reluctantly outstretched to take a little poke.

Even though our Jello brain (which Kate affectionately called "The Thinker") was edible, we decided that too many sticky little fingers had gone through it by the time the science fair was over. However, we had saved some leftover Jello mix for our dining pleasure. Even outside the brain mold, the jelly wasn't particularly appetizing, and Todd alone was brave enough to give it a try.