Picture this: you spend your planning period and possibly time after hours setting up a lab. You have prepared solutions, labeled chemicals, set out glassware, printed lab sheets, etc. all after testing the lab beforehand of course. Essentially you’ve spent time mentally preparing for controlled chaos—only to hear a student say the day after, “Did…
Category: The Lab Bench
Find practical tips for chemistry lab safety, equipment, setup, chemical storage, waste disposal, organization, and DIY solutions for the classroom.
How to Save a Failed Chemistry Experiment
No matter how carefully a lab is prepared, chemistry experiments occasionally fail. Reactions stall, expected observations never appear, and suddenly the class is trying to figure out what went wrong. Failed chemistry experiments can feel stressful and frustrating, especially when class time, materials, and prep are involved. But here’s the good news: a failed lab…
The Reason I Test My Labs First
There’s nothing more aggravating as a Chemistry teacher than planning an awesome lab… and having the reaction flop. You’ve spent time prepping materials, reviewing safety procedures, and building excitement. Students are ready. Goggles are on. You give the signal—and then… nothing. No color change. No bubbles. No reaction. Just 25 pairs of eyes staring at…



