science lab

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Submitted by
Name : Jeevan Das.B
Option: Physical science

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No course in chemistry can be considered as complete without including some
practical work in it.The practical work is to be carried out by individual in a chemistry
laboratory.Most of the achievements of modern chemistry are due to the application of the
experimental method. At school stage practical work is even more important because of the fact
that we “learn by doing” scientific principles and applications are thus rendered more
meaningful.It is a well known fact that an object handled impress itself more firmly on the
mind than an object merely seen from a distance or in an illustrations.Centuries of purely
deductive work did not produce the same utilitarian rssults as a few decades of experimental
work.Practical class room experiments help in broadening pupil’s experience and develop
initiative,resourcefulness and cooperation .Because of the reasons discussed above practical
work forms a prominent feature in any chemistry course.
Out of the various teaching methods discussed earlier the assignment method is
the only method that combines theory and practice in a harmonious manner and can be easily
practiced in our schools.the Heuristic method is predominantly a laboratory method .However
from this it should not be concluded that practical work in laboratory is impossible if the
teacher makes use of any other teaching method.thus irrespective of the method adopted by the
teacher for teaching of chemistry in the class,practical work in laboratory must be attempted.
One of the important functions of the science laboratory is the deepening of the students
understanding that scientific concepts and supplication are closely related to his own natural
environment.practical work in science even at the school stage is essential because of the fact
that we “learn by doing”.Scientific principles and applications are thus rendered more
meaningful.Moreover it is a fact that an object handled impress itself firmly on the mind than
an object merely seen from a distance or in an illustration.Most children like doing things with

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their hand.Practical work provides an activity which can be profitable and emotionally
satisfying.
 The achievement of modern science are mainly due to the application of experimental
method.It is in the laboratory that pupils get a training in this important phase of science
sudy.
 In doing laboratory work the pupils get a chance for both physical and intellectual and
they are learning by doing.
 Laboratory exercises train them in scientific thinking they develop scientific attitude
and scientific methods as a result of laboratory work.
 The laboratory helps the pupils in the development of manipulate skills.
 The experiments done serve as a source of motivation.They are interested in handling
materials and doing experiments.
 The laboratory,the teacher comes into closer contact with the individual and helps them
to bring out of their difficulties.

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Laboratory is a room or building equipped for scientific experimentation or research. It is imperative for
schools to have the latest and high quality science lab supplies these days. Science lab equipment allows
students to interact directly with the data gathered. They get a first-hand learning experience by
performing various experiments on their own. Students are made to use the models and understand
different scientific theories and concepts. It is also found that school science lab equipment and supplies
make teaching and learning easy both for the teachers, as well as for the students. There are several
scientific theories and concepts that are difficult to explain directly from the books. Anatomy models,
physics science kits, and chemistry science kits for instance make it easy to understand the otherwise
compex theorises of science.

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Accidents may happen in the laboratory. So it is necessary to keep FIRST AID KIT.
 This should contain acetic acid,bandages,carbolic acid,cotton,dressing
guaze,eyedropper,forceps,glycerine,milk of magnesia,plaster,plucker.scissors,sodium
carbonate,tincture iodine,Vaseline.
 It would be better to display a chart depicting the accidents that are usual in the
laboratory and remedies.
1. Wounds: Apply cotton dipped in tincture iodine.
2. Burns from fire: Cover the portion with linen dipped in Vaseline.
3. Acid Burns:Wash with and then with a saturated solution of sodium
bicarbonate and finally with water.
4. Alkali Burns: Wash with plenty of water and with weak vineagar or lime
juice.
5. Burns from phosphorous: wash with plenty of water and then cover with
cotton dipped in silver nitrate.
6. Injuries to eye: The eye dealt with by doctor.
7. Acid in eye: The eye should be opened and closed under water. Then wash
with 1% sodium carbonate solution by means of an eye glass.
8. Alkali in eye: The should be thoroughly washed with water and then with 1%
boric acid by means of an eye glass.

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9. Poisons:It a solid or liquid goes to the mouth ,but is not swallowed,spit it at
once and repeatedly rinse with water.If the mouth is scalded,apply olive oil or
ghee.
10. Electric shock:Switch of the electric supply .Beat with a wooden stick.admit
to a hospital.
 Laboratory glass ware must be never used as drinking vessels.
 Solutions split on the bench or floor should be cleaned up immediately.
 Concentrated solutions should be diluted before they are poured down the
sink.
 Do not point to the other people with a test tube.
 Do not look into the mouth of a test tube while heating its contents.
 For constant boiling, chips of marbles pieces should be placed in the liquid
under boil.
 Always use test tube holders while heating materials in a test tube.

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Maintainance of a proper record of the apparatus ,materials ect. in the
laboratory is one of the important duties of the science master.For this after receipt of
articles they should be thoroughly checked and then they be entered in the stock
register.
Separate stock register be maintained for consumable and non-consumable
items ,permanent articles,glass articles ect.Following stock registers are generally
maintained in schools:
1. Permanent stock
It contais details of articles which are not liable to be consumed or
broken like magnets,iron stands,wooden blocks,newtons colour disc.Some
articles like ammeter,stop watch,thermometer,voltmeter are also enterd in the
register as they are considered non consumable.Working and non working
models,charts,telescopes and microscope can be entered in this register.
2. Breakable stock register
It includes the articles of glassware,flacks,test
tubes,beakers,pipettes,burettes and funnels.
3. Consumable stock register
It includes chemicals and other fluids liable to be consumed such as
acids,alcohol,distilled water,potassium permanganate and the like.
4. Order register
It includes the record of the orders sent for the purchase of new apparatus.
5. Requirement register
The most appropriate method of collecting suggestions for new resources
for the science staff,is to note the ideas in a requirement register.

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In storage of chemicals the following methods are normally adopted:
o Grouping the chemicals in a systematic way.
o Arranging the elements in alphabetic order.
o Arranging the elements and their components in which they occur in
periodic table.
o Grouping all elements and their similar components together.
o Numbering each bottles and jar and keeping and index book.
o Keeping reagent bottles in definite places on the bench and the cupboard.
o Storing similar types of solutions at one place.
o Using same types of bottles for a particular reagent.
o Always store large bottles on floor not on shelves.
o While storing Winchester bottles of concentrated acids,they be kept in
brackets with sand.

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o Bottles containing inflammable liquids be stored in a cool place outside the
laboratory.
o While phosphorous be stored under water and sodium be stored under
kerosene oil.
o Hydrogen peroxide be stored in an air light tin.
The equipments for laboratory
 Almirahs(wooden and steel)
 Wallboard or blackboard
 Demonstration table (8’*4’) with cupboards,water and gas points.

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 Working tables with cupboards,shelves,water and gas points.
 Balance room should be attached to the laboratory.
 Sinks on each working table or at least two large sinks at the corners of the
laboratory.
 A fume cupboard.
 A wooden box half filled with sand for use as waste material box.
 Acid proof drainage system.
 Shelves for reagent bottle on each working table and wall shelves for storage of
reagent bottles.
Rules are important because the laboratory happens to be a place of potential
dangers.The science teacher is the supreme authority in the laboratory and he should be strictly
obeyed.Discipline is taught by making the pupils know what to do in the laboratory rather than
don’ts.The laboratory is essentially a workshop without any sort of confusion.
· No pupil should be allowed to enter the laboratory in the absence of the teacher or
laboratory assistant.
· Every pupil may have a seat assigned to him.
· The arrangement in the laboratory should be such that there is no need to move a pupil
from his seat.
· Every one should pick up the practice of putting up his hand to call the attention of the
teacher.
· When the pupil are working in groups they might be allowed to discuss in a low tone.

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· Unnecessary talking should be strictly forbidden.
· While they are doing experiments ,the pupil must examine the apparatus given and
report defects if any.
· Reagent bottles should be returned to the shelves immediately after use.
· Stopper are also to be replaced on the bottles.
· Waste papers,burnt match sticks should not be thrown into sink.Waste box should be
used.
· Scribbling figures on furniture and on loose sheets of paper should never be permitted.
· The teacher can get the help of the pupils to distribute apparatus and materials to clean
them after use and to replace them at the end.
· The pupils must be insisted on keeping the furniture neat and arranging the apparatus
neatly on the bench during the experiments .After use the apparatus must be left clean.
· The large number of applications and materials in the laboratory is a source of
temptation to the mischievous pupils.Hence the teacher has to be very vigilant.they are
to be given tight work and particularly watched by the teacher.
· Bottles must be labeled clearly.
· The wall of the laboratory can be decorated with pictures of scientists and diagrams of
apparatus.
· Useless substances /broken glass,chemicals solid waste must be deposited in a separate
basket.
· A bucket full of water must be kept not only when experiments are being done but
always.

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To conclude, schools must have the latest science lab and equipment to make science
interesting and effective for students and to encourage them to make significant
contributions in the field of physics, chemistry, biology, and other streams of science
later in life.
 Kolasani sunil kumar,Rama Krishna.K,Digumarti
Bhaskara Rao.(2004).Methods Of Teaching
Chemistry.
 Das R C; Science Teaching in Schools; Sterling
Publishers Pvt. Ltd.
 http://www.sciencefirst.com/importance-of-advanced-
science-lab-equipment-in-school-labs.
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