LabX - A Public Engagement Testbed from NAS

Bold experiments with a variety of creative—sometimes even unorthodox—approaches designed to reach diverse audiences.

LabX is a program of the National Academy of Sciences

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What gives honeycomb candy its signature light, crunchy texture? In this episode of Chemists in the Kitchen, chemists Daisy Rosas, Kevin Aptowicz, and Joan Walker investigate the science behind this classic confection by making honeycomb candy with three different sweeteners: golden syrup, honey, and maple syrup. As they compare each batch, they explore how the molecular makeup of different sugars influences the candy’s texture, structure, and tendency to crystallize.

Along the way, the hosts explain the roles of sucrose, glucose, and fructose, demonstrate how baking soda creates the candy’s airy network of bubbles, and show why changing just one ingredient can dramatically alter the final product. Through this hands-on experiment, viewers see how chemists use controlled comparisons to answer scientific questions—and discover that even a simple candy recipe is full of fascinating chemistry.

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Destroy Boys & LabX

Destroy Boys joined LabX Out Loud for a live studio session that brings science directly into the heart of a punk performance. Filmed at The Recording Club in Los Angeles, the collaboration combines a full live set with conversations about black holes, cosmic “reverb,” the shape of the universe, and the physics hidden inside sound itself.

Part concert, part conversation, and part scientific exploration, the session reflects the mission of LabX Out Loud: embedding scientists into cultural spaces where curiosity can emerge naturally. Rather than separating science from the performance, the collaboration weaves scientific ideas into the experience, creating unexpected connections between music, discovery, and the questions that drive both artists and researchers.