The Motueka High School pupil giggled nervously before she dipped her hand in water and then in acetone, and waved it beneath a flame held by professional practice fellow Dave Warren.
Her hand aflame - Dr Warren explained the water would evaporate to take the heat away - she pushed at the hydrogen-filled balloon floating between her and those attending the academy.
She jumped when the balloon exploded into a short, loud, burst of flame.
"I'm all about good safe fun, the do-it-yourself-at-home stuff," she joked, before an only half-joking Dr Warren reminded the laughing participants there was no way they should do the same thing at home.
Jessica was one of 53 school pupils selected from about 80 New Zealand schools to attend the university's first Advanced School Sciences Academy.
It aims to ensure talented pupils from smaller or less well-resourced schools, or learning by correspondence, have access to the sort of resources enjoyed by larger schools.
Academy director Steve Broni said the pupils were encouraged to experience a range of science and related disciplines under the guidance of university staff and PhD students.
They would also stay in touch with each other and with the academy through an innovative online science network, Mr Broni said.
Many of the pupils would probably turn the experience into further science education, but it was enough that it helped them make the most of their final NCEA year.
"It's not a recruitment thing for the university, though some might want to go on to further study.
"If it helps this great bunch of pupils to be informed, in a world where we need more people to be more informed about science, then I'll be very happy."
Before reviewing the iPod footage of her fun with flame, Jessica said she was determined to turn her growing knowledge of science into studying health science at Otago.
"It's been really full-on - it just shows how much fun you can have with science."
