“Ten, nine, eight …” shouted students at St. Matthew’s as they sat behind a chain-link fence, watching a science experiment take place in the school’s courtyard Wednesday afternoon.

As the students’ countdown hit zero, for a moment, the excitement waned as it appeared nothing was happening. Then, the trash can went sky high with smoke billowing out of it, flying over 100 feet into the air.

Students screamed, and senior cryogenic engineer David Petrick sprinted across the courtyard, attempting to catch the plastic garbage bin before it bounced too close to the children.

“That was sick!” one shouted, as Petrick geared up for another launch.

Students watched through a slight drizzle of rain as Petrick proceeded to pour liquid nitrogen into bottles to cause the reactions. Petrick, who cont

See Full Page