OT Experiment with chemicals now

http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/14.06/chemistry_pr.html

"Garage chemistry used to be a rite of passage for geeky kids. But in
their search for terrorist cells and meth labs, authorities are making
a federal case out of DIY science."

Long article covering access to chemicals being restricted, purchases
logged, companies investigated and the effect on science and
discovery. Looks at risk, experiments and blowing stuff up, in the
past and concerns for the future.

"Kids read about the great scientists and their discoveries throughout
history, and marvel that people once did these things, Lazar says. But
they marvel a little too much. Taking chemicals and lab equipment away
from kids who love science is like taking crayons and paints away from
a kid who may grow up to be an artist."

Read it, then go and play with some chemicals while you still can.

 

Seems like as good a time as any to mention my favourite tale of all
time on this subject:

http://www.dangerouslaboratories.org/radscout.html

 

http://www.iato.co.uk/stuff/PICT00261.jpg

 

this has been my favourite for some time

http://www.mit.edu/~jcb/humor/billion-watt-light-bulb

 

Safety Nazis! This is what you have done.

""A lot of schools don’t have chemistry labs anymore," explains CEF
educational coordinator Laurel Brent. "We want to give kids lessons that
tie in to their real-world experiences without having them deal with a
lot of strange chemicals in bottles that have big long names.""

I despair, I really do. Laurel Brent should have her/his (what kind of
name is Laurel?) arse kicked.

 

Is this *really* true...?

Or is it some City Academy defending **** trying to justify stealing money
from existing schools to fund trophy schools for the 10% rich benefactors?

No labs?

How do you get kids interested in chemistry if you don't show them the fun
things that happen with sodium, magnesium, oleum, all the -ums??????

Dave

 

Like the TV programs that reflect real-world life?

Dumbing down should be optional.

 

That's an American site, but yes, chemistry and other sciences)are
dying a death over here as well.

http://education.guardian.co.uk/universitiesincrisis/story/0,,1595862,00.html

That's what happens when you stifle creativity.

Oi! **** off and form your own thread about City Academies.

Thank you Lord Voldemort.

Watching Brianiac is the closest most kids get to wanton destruction
nowadays. Crying shame.

 

Wanton destruction doesn't require chemicals, just imagination.

 

That's so sad.

I wasn't taking the piss.

I used to look forward to chemistry O level lesson so we could blow shite
up....

Dave

 

Using the patented Mavis Beacon "Hunt&Peck" Technique, ginge

Chopsticks?

--
Wicked Uncle Nigel - Podium Placed Ducati Race Engineer

WS* GHPOTHUF#24 APOSTLE#14 DLC#1 COFF#20 BOTAFOT#150 HYPO#0(KoTL) IbW#41
SBS#39 OMF#6 Enfield 500 Curry House Racer "The Basmati Rice Burner",
Honda GL1000K2 (On its hols) Kawasaki ZN1300 Voyager "Oh, Oh, It's so big"
Suzuki TS250 "The Africa Single" Yamaha GTS1000 Honda ST1100 wiv trailer

 

Brian Damage ?

Take 10 UKRM'ers, and a microwave ...

P.

 

Gods teeth.
Brilliant!

Dave

 

Brian "Damage" Bulowski ?
y'know, brother of Harry "The Bastard" Bulowski who worked in
Rumbelows?

Dave

 

Damn, that's one of those like bought and brought, that I always get
the wrong way.

I'm still waiting for Petrolcan to put the video of that little
experiment up somewhere.