Hands-on practical chemistry for all

Abstract

Practical chemistry is under siege world-wide for various reasons which include cost, safety, waste disposal and teacher training. Yet most chemistry educators regard practical chemistry as very important for various reasons which include motivation, concept learning and skills development. Using small-scale plastic equipment allows cost, safety and waste disposal problems all to be addressed. We have developed a microchemistry system based on such equipment which is easy for individual students to use and convenient for teachers to implement. For all these reasons the RADMASTE Microchemistry system is attracting world-wide interest. Alongside other curricular changes this development may help to revitalise chemistry education in many countries. © 1999 IUPAC.