January 2015 - Page 4 of 5

Lab Equipment (Burettes and pipettes) – Making Science More Fun

Contrary to what many people believe, especially those who haven’t been in close association with it, science is a lot of fun. The most important thing that Science has taught us is that everything that happens has a logical explanation to it.

In order to make us understand things better, laboratories and lab equipment have played a crucial role.

Burette and pipette

Burette and pipette are lab equipment used in the volumetric analysis of an analyte. Burette is a glass tube having a tap at the bottom. Pipette is also a glass tube that has a bulge in the middle. They both have gradations to measure the quantity of chemical substances. While burette is used to deliver a chemical solution with a known concentration into a flask, pipette is used to measure the quantity of the analyte- the chemical substrate whose concentration is to be determined.

What are they used for?

They are both used for Titration.

Titration

Titration or Titrometry is a common laboratory procedure used in the quantitative analysis of an analyte (a chemical substrate) which is usually an acid in acid base titration.

Titrant- The solution with the known concentration is called the titrant. The burette contains the titrant which is slowly delivered into the analyte present in the conical flask.

Titrand-The chemical substrate with unknown concentration is called titrand. The titrand is present in the flask.

End Point/ Equivalence Point-End point or equivalence point is the point at which there is complete neutralization of eth acid with the base. To measure the end point different indicators are used that change color. The change in color is referred to as the end point.

After filling the burette up till a certain mark, and placing a flask underneath that contains the analyte (the quantity of which is measured with a pipette), indicator is added to the solution present in the flask to measure the end point. In acid base titration, the end point is determined with the help of an indicator solution or Ph paper. A titration curve is plotted, and the concentration of the titrand is determined.

Who says science is boring, you just need to devote some time to realize how fascinating it can be.
In Marie Curie’s own words “Nothing in life is to be feared, it is only to be understood. Now is the time to understand more, so that we may fear less.”

How to make schools science laboratories safe

Science laboratories are an important part of schools and colleges. Science lab experiments provide a better understanding of the different concepts and theories of science to students. Science labs foster interest and make science interesting and fun for kids. But science laboratories are dangerous too. Even simple mistakes can lead to serious injuries and damages. It is the duty and responsibility of school authorities to create a safe science lab environment.

There are several things that schools must do in order to create a safe lab environment for their students. Schools must ensure that all the personnel are highly trained. The teachers, supervisors, and lab assistants must possess thorough understanding of all the chemicals, hardware, and lab equipment.

They must supervise the students while they are conducting science experiments and should never leave them unattended. Science teachers should ensure that students follow each and every step as given in the science text book as small diversions can lead to major reactions.

It is important to avoid all sorts of distractions in the science laboratories. Teachers and assistants should closely monitor the students to ensure that they do not use their cell phones or listen to music while in lab. A lot of times, accidents occur because attention drifts.

Science lab wear are equally important. They help prevent fatal accidents and minimize the danger of exposure to obnoxious fumes and chemicals. Students must be made to wear laboratory coats, aprons, protective eye wear, and hand gloves when performing experiments in chemistry labs, physics labs and biology labs.

There should be an eyewash and hand wash station in every science laboratory to provide first-aid solution in case students accidentally expose their eyes or any body part to harmful chemicals. Science laboratories must be fitted with proper air ventilation to prevent fatal inhalation of toxic gases and substances.

School authorities must perform safety inspections from time to time. Lab managers must inspect all the laboratory supplies and lab safety equipment and should replace all worn out damaged equipment immediately. If any chemicals or other lab substances and supplies have expired or have aged, they must be discarded and should be replaced with safe, new, and top quality supplies.

Likewise, it is the duty of the lab assistants to check test tubes, beakers, flasks, funnels, pipettes, spoons, and other glass lab ware to ensure that they are not cracked or damaged. Cracks in glass ware can cause the chemicals to leak and may also cause the glassware to break accidentally when exposed to heat.

It is advisable that school authorities maintain records of any minor or major accidents that take place in science laboratories. By recording them and tracking them, schools can formulate the protocol that will help prevent similar instances in future and can create a safe lab environment for their students.

Follow the safety procedures discussed above to provide safe, enjoyable, and effective science laboratory environment for your students.

Buying microscopes for school science lab

Microscopes are practically useful science laboratory equipment. They are used widely in research laboratories, scientific labs, pathological laboratories, and school science laboratories. Microscopes are crucial for varied diagnostic applications. They provide high quality detail of the specimen under study. The specimen can include flowers, insects, grass, vegetables, fruit skins, and many other things.

Microscopes come in a huge variety. There are medical microscopes, laboratory microscopes, stereo inspection micro scopes, and educational microscopes-each serving a specific purpose. Kid’s microscopes or educational microscopes are popularly used in schools. They are a great means to encourage kids’ interest in science. Microscopes allow kids to see the world in a unique and interesting way, in a way they have never seen it before.

Educational microscopes take science out of textbooks and bring it into the real world for kids to help them understand things in a much better and easier way. Microscopes allow kids to have their first taste of the microscopic skills. With the help of their teachers and parents at home kids are able to see blades of grass, leaves, flower petals, fruit skins, small insects, vegetables, tiny life forms in pond water, and many other objects and living organisms. Children take delight in examining the tiny objects. Microscopes are a great way to supplement their science studies and at the same time foster independent leaning.

Here are few tips for buying microscopes for school science labs:

When buying microscopes for kids, your first important consideration should be that it is light in weight, portable, comfortable, and user-friendly. There are ergonomic microscopes where all the features are within finger reach.

The next important concern when choosing the microscope is quality. Buy a top quality microscope that can bear vigorous daily use.

Microscopes come with different types of clarity and magnification. It is advisable to choose the microscope that promises high resolution imaging. A good microscope features a high point eyepiece that provides high resolution flat field imaging over a big specimen area. There are advanced models that provide parallel optical path from the image and yield in flat field imaging and high clarity.

Although there are many different types of microscopes, the two most common types are the stereo and compound microscopes. Stereo scopes are suitable for looking at the details of larger things, such as stamps or buttons. They feature a light on both the bottom and the top of the viewing area for viewing objects that are not transparent. Stereo scopes don’t require the use of slides. Compound scopes have a single light on the bottom of the viewing area. These devices are suitable for viewing things that are invisible to the naked eye. There are some microscopes that are both compound and stereo.

Another important consideration to be bear in mind when buying microscope is the light source. Basic microscope models illuminated the viewing area by reflecting light onto a mirror. Today, advanced models feature built-in light, mostly an LED. Built in light source allows for optimum viewing. Plus, LED is better to other light sources as it doesn’t destroy specimens with intense heat.

Finally, buy the microscope for your science lab from a reliable supplier.

You can browse the web to get the details of top and trustworthy dealers in your area. By buying microscope from a reliable supplier, you will definitely get the best value for your money and can have the microscope that will last for many years in your school science lab.

Essential Features to Look For While Buying A Human Anatomy Model

Human anatomy models are mostly preferred by schools and colleges so that an idea about various human organs can be rendered to the students. Anatomy models of each and every part of the body are available in various shapes and sizes and can be easily found online. While buying a particular anatomy model, there are certain features that are to be considered.

A few of the essential features to look for in a human anatomy model:

Anatomy models must be invested upon depending on the age group of students. For instance, for the younger group of students, choose a large scale models of the organs. This will help to attract the attention of the students more toward the model.
Ensure that the model is imparting correct details of each model. The details are essential to give right education to students with the help of these models.
These models are made with keeping the concept of children in mind, they are also sturdier than the conventional ones. Hence they are able to withstand any rough handling by young students.
Another feature to be considered is the level of knowledge of the target students while choosing a particular anatomy model. For instance, human anatomy models with more and accurate details must be chosen for teaching medical students.
The anatomy models specifically constructed keeping in mind the medical students are more versatile just like the real organs available. This is essential as the students need to know exactly what type of organ they are dealing with.
You will also find miniature products that are easily accommodated in the desk. This type of models are usually preferred by various medical professional for placing them in their offices or clinics. So, these types of models portray very less details pertaining to the organs in that model. Doctors can employ those models as a quick reference in order to explain a condition in detail to the patient.
While buying the human anatomy models, consider the cost factor, as well. You can easily find good quality anatomy models at an affordable price that will solve your purpose.

Besides, human anatomy models, there are models for other animals, as well. These act as a great platform for learning for your kids. Just remember the points mentioned above for buying a good anatomy model for students or your children.

A Science Lab Kit for Your Child – Making Science a Fun Activity

You often come across a number of textbooks and reading materials about Science on bookstore shelves and libraries. But, these verbose resources are not very much preferred by school kids as reading about Science in textbooks can be quite dull no matter how informative these reading resources are. A number of studies have proved that more and more children and even adults still prefer experiential learning over textual learning.

Science experiments are simple fun learning activities that will surely delight your child. Watching how the world works is quite a fun activity when it’s something your child will create himself. A number of kids love science as this subject gives them an opportunity to answer questions and also they are intimidated by the activities they have to take on. One of the best ways to make it a more pleasant experience is to provide a comprehensive science lab kit for your child. This will make the learning part more understandable and fun.

Proper scientific education has the ability to prepare your child to face daily problems and tackle them efficiently. Including useful science projects in the curriculum is a good way to make sure that they receive proper scientific education in a well-structured manner. There are certain points that have to be considered while choosing such projects. The parents and teachers have to ensure that the chosen activities are entertaining as well as informative. Avoid being monotonous with regards to science projects as they will rarely serve the desired purpose. For conducting various science experiments, the main requisite is a proper science kit. The kit will ensure that your child has all the necessary equipment and apparatus to carry out a particular experiment.

Science school kits entail exact replicas or models of certain experiments or topics. Along with these replicas these science kits also come with important instruction manuals that are helpful for you to assemble the various parts, thus performing the experiment in a correct way. There are plethora of kits related to environmental science, physics, biology, chemistry, anatomy, etc. As these science kits are available in different types and for kids of all age groups, you will not have a tough time in selecting the kits that are appropriate for your child’s age. This will ensure that your child will surely benefit a lot out of it.

These amazingly informative science kits are just a great gift for your child that will also make science a fun activity for them.

10 Science Lab Safety Rules For Kids

Science experiments are vital for kids. They are useful in understanding the theories and concepts of science that can not be comprehended alone by science text books. But science labs are risky by the very nature of chemicals and lab experiments that are being conducted out there.

Here are 10 safety rules that should be followed in science labs to avoid accidents and injuries in the lab.

Kids should not be allowed to touch any chemicals or lab equipment unless they are instructed to do so.
Students should never ever work in science lab in the absence of their teachers.
Students must follow all the written and verbal instructions when conducting the science experiment. In case they do not follow anything, they must clarify it first.
It is very important to be alert and be cautious when in the science laboratory. Eating, drinking, playing pranks, using mobile phones, or listening to music should be strictly prohibited.
Before using any chemicals, read the label carefully. When mixing chemicals or conducting the experiment, keep the test tube containing the chemical away from your face, mouth, and body.
Unused chemicals should never be put back in the original bottle. They must be disposed off as per the guidelines given by the lab assistant or science teacher.
Students must be made to wear safety goggles, lab coat, and shoes in the science laboratory. Loose clothes, sandals, and open hairs should be a strict NO in school science labs.
Examine glassware before using. Do not use chipped or cracked test tubes or beakers.
Hot apparatus take time to cool down. Allow time to cool them down and use tongs or heat protective gloves to pick them up.
If any accident takes place, do not panic. Inform your teacher immediately and lab assistants for help.

Let your students have a safe learning experience in your school science labs.

Paper Clip On Water: A Simple Science Experiment For Kids

Learning becomes fun and lot more effective with the help of science experiments. Here is one exciting science experiment that you can conduct at home or in school to make kids understand why and how paper clips float on water.

For this science experiment, you would need paper clips, a bowl of water, tissue paper, and a pencil and eraser.

Now fill the bowl with water. Take a piece of tissue and gently drop that onto the surface of water. Without touching the water or the tissue, try to place a dry and clean clip onto the tissue. Take a pencil to slowly poke the tissue until it sinks down into the water. It may take some effort but the tissue will sink and the paper clip would be left floating on the water.

Kids would be surprised to see the paper clips floating on the water. How does it really happen?

The scientific theory behind this is known as surface tension. There is a kind of skin on the surface of water which holds the water molecules tightly. This surface tension also holds the paper clip which can otherwise not float on the water.

If you place an insect such as a water strider on the water, you would notice that it would walk on the water. The insect uses this skin to walk over the surface of the water.

You can use this science experiment for finding out many other interesting things, such as how many paper clips can the surface tension hold? Does the floating ability of the paper clip depend on its shape and size? How can the surface tension of the liquid be made stronger? Do all liquids have the same surface tension?

To conduct this and many more exciting and experiential science experiments at home or school, you can buy science kits.

Let your kids enjoy learning science!!

All About Cleaning and Maintaining Laboratory Glassware

Even the most carefully executed experiment can give erroneous results if dirty glassware is bought to use. If the glassware that is used for measuring liquids is contaminated with grease and other materials, it prevents the glass from being uniformly wetted. This in turn will affect the volume of liquid delivered and the amount of residue adhering to the walls of the container. Likewise, presence of impurities in glass labware can distort the meniscus and can prevent one from getting the correct results out of the science lab experiment.

Keeping the laboratory glassware physically neat and clean, free of grease, and bacteria is therefore of the utmost importance.

To keep your glass labware neat and clean, you must wash it immediately after use. Put glassware in water if you can not clean it immediately otherwise the residue will stick to the labware and it would get difficult to remove it.

For washing the glass labware, make use of soap, detergent, or cleaning powder. Try to use soap and cleaning powder without any abrasives as it can scratch the glass. However, for glassware that is too dirty, you can make use of cleaning powder with mild abrasive action to get good cleaning results. Chromic acid solution is quite effective in cleaning unduly clouded or dirty glassware. For scrubbing the glassware thoroughly, you must use a brush.

After cleaning, rinse the glassware with tap water. Allow the water to run into and over the glassware and then fill each piece with water. Fill test tubes, flasks, and other glassware with water and shake and empty them. Do this for at least 5-6 times to clean the glassware properly. For cleaning contaminated glassware, you will have to sterilize them too.

Washed labware must either be placed in a basket with their mouth downwards for allowing them to dry completely or they should be made to dry in an oven. You can also hang test tubes, flasks, and other labware on wooden pegs for drying them out. Stand dry cylinders, burets, and pipets on a towel for drying them properly.

Place clean glassware in a cabinet to protect it from dust. You can also make use of cotton, or cork, or can tape a piece of paper on the mouth of the glassware to prevent dirt and dust from entering the glassware. Keep washed, cleaned, and sterilised glassware pieces in special racks and at a distance to avoid any breakage.

With proper care and maintenance you can not only increase the life of your labware, but can also enhance your lab safety.

Things You Need To Know About A Refractor Telescope

You may be having a refractor telescope in your schools science lab and you might have used it couple of times to teach astronomical facts to your students. Here are some interesting things that you should know about refractor telescopes and should share the same with your students.

The first refractor telescope was invented by Hans Lippershey, Zacarias Janssen and Jacob Metius and it was made in 1608 in Netherlands.
Galileo was the first person who used the refractor telescope in 1609. He modified and re-oriented the design elements of the telescope made by Lippershey and came up with his own version.
The refracting telescope invented by Galileo was less than 2 inches. Today, however one can find telescopes varying in length, ranging between 1 and 5 feet.
The length of refractory telescope lenses is not more than 8 inches.
In 1733, a newer and better version of the refractor telescope was invented. It was named achromatic refractor telescope and was invented by Chester Moore Hall.
The Galilean refractor telescope is not considered to be as reliable as they distort the images quite easily. It is believed that one sees false colors or a rainbow coloured ring of light around the outer edge of the planets when using earlier model of refractor telescope.
In order to overcome these problems, Johannes Kepler invented a new and better telescope. The refractor telescope invented by him utilized convex eyepiece as opposed to the concave eyepiece used in the Galilean telescope model.
A refractor telescope consists of a tapered tube and a lens placed inside either end of the tube. The larger lens is a convex piece of glass. It directs light to a central image inside the tube and the smaller lens is the eyepiece, which magnifies the image.
Refractor telescopes are closed tubes and therefore do not get dust, and other elements. It is quite easy to maintain these telescopes.

Science Lab Experiments: Understanding Their Role in Childhood Education

Science is the study of facts. At the same time, science is also about discovering the world around us, of knowing things, and having new and wonderful idea. It is against this very definition of science that most educators believe that scientific learning that takes place in classrooms alone is not true learning. For fostering scientific learning in early childhood, active, hands-on learning is very important. And this can best be achieved through science lab experiments.

Science lab experiments promote the development of scientific thinking in students. Rather than making the kids memorize the facts, they are made to think and understand things and the world around them. Science lab experiments allow students to ask questions, probe for answers, conduct investigations, and collect data. They are engaged in the investigative nature of scientific learning. Children in fact do science in science labs than simply learning science through textbooks in classrooms.

Science experiments promote discovery and learning. Discovering new ideas is an integral part of learning science. It is something that teachers can’t give to students. Students themselves have to discover new ideas and concepts during their search for knowledge. In science school lab, children conduct experiments. They adopt alternatives, try to work out things in different areas and understand what works and what didn’t really work. Many a times, children work on wrong ideas. But it’s only when they work on the wrong ideas that they understand the real ideas in a much better manner.

In school science labs, children are viewed as active learners and not just passive recipients of knowledge. Children are given various opportunities to learn and experiment. Science experiments play a very crucial role in the on going intellectual development of children. In science laboratories, children get time, space, as well as resources to exercise their curiosity. They are given the freedom to engage in new explorations, experimentations, and explanations.

A lot schools are becoming aware of this productive aspect of science projects and experiments and are therefore incorporating them in their course curriculum. By investing in safe and high quality science lab equipment, schools can provide the most effective tools to their students for supporting constructive learning and fostering scientific thinking in students.

To buy top quality science lab equipment, browse the web. You could be preparing the next generation of scientists.