Painted robin’s-egg blue and covered with the chemical structures for dozens of molecules, this piano makes art out of science. It was decorated by the CAS-based Beeler Research Group as part of Street Pianos Boston 2016.

Gabrielle Fleming (GRS’19) and Alexis Courtney Young (GRS’16,’18) painted the bulk of the piano, covering its top with the chemical structures of molecules submitted by their friends and family, other students, and the public. Caffeine was a popular submission, as was capsaicin, which makes peppers spicy. Strontium carbonate, used in red fireworks, and eucalyptol, found in eucalyptus leaves, also made it onto the piano.

“Talking about my work with non-chemists is challenging, but having a visual piece where people can see that there are molecules everywhere makes it accessible,” says Fleming.

The students included each molecule’s name and a short description of its purpose, so the piano could teach as well as delight. The instrument was on display at the Museum of Science, Boston, in fall 2016.