From the article: Before you Buy a Chemistry Set
Old chemistry kits used to contain a wide variety of chemicals, including some that could be toxic or hazardous if they were mis-used. Modern chemistry kits use much fewer chemicals. In fact, there are some chemistry kits that claim to contain no chemicals at all! Do you feel chemistry kits are too dangerous? Alternatively, do you think chemistry kits have been watered down too much to be interesting or educational? Here's your chance to share your opinion. Share Your Opinion
Balance
- I became interested in chemistry because of a chemistry kit I received in 6th grade back in 1976. Tchemicals in the kit were not dangerous if used properly. I think I had an alcohol lamp and the most dangerous substance was sulfur, as I liked to catch it on fire. Three years later I had my parents buying me metallic potassium and concentrated nitric acid. I never hurt myself, but I did wear goggles. Sodium bisulfate and sulfur should be in a chemistry kit, however its good that metallic potassium is no longer available to the general public, especially to the parents of a 9th grader. That said, I am a better reader, writer and thinker, because of all the experimenting I did as a teenager. My chemistry projects motivated me to learn by reading and doing research at the local library. I recently opened an eBay store to provide individuals with chemistry kits and chemicals sets. Happy experimenting, learning and discovering!
- —the_chemists_corner
Both sides are right
- I should first divulge that I am an online seller of chemistry sets at www.chemistrysetsandmore.com. When I was originally looking for a source of chemistry sets to sell it was difficult to find any. There are only a couple of sources. One of them focused on safety, the others on learning. I chose the ones that focused on learning. The "safe" sets either did not have any chemicals, or they were diluted. Although some sets, like the CHEM1000, may not have the flashy magic-trick type of experiments or as many chemicals as I would like, they do teach the basics and safe handling (it is a beginner level set). They are not dangerous under normal use. Kids, however, can be dangerous with anything if they want to be. It would be best if they were taught proper methods before they dive under the sink. I received a chemistry set as a child, and I thought it was the coolest present ever.
- —Guest Tim
Keep The Chemicals in Chemistry
- I just ordered my 12-yr-old grandson his first chemical set (Chem C3000) and it includes some chemicals and I am ordering the rest. I signed him up for a summer e-camp full of science activity. If you use your brains (what else are they for), Chemistry with chemicals can and will be safe.
- —georgiette
Retired
- When I was in Jr High, I go9t a new Chemistry set every Chritmas. Not only did I earn to love Science, It kept me from wasting my time hanging out with the gang (None Criminal). I also learned to handle acids and basies, read and think. I went on to become an Electronic Engineer. And Chemistry really helped me understand the new Technology Solid StateElectronics when it first come out.
- —Guest B Brodigan
The Future To Be Considered
- It is to be noted that almost all the objects used today are aggregate of molecules. It is almost impossible then to eliminate these molecules from these objects as it could lead to the production of sub-standard products which will not be acceptable. In view of this, I will advocate that the necessary chemicals needed to maintain standard only be used in these sets. There should be no additonal of extra chemical intentionally to inflence the sensory characteristics.
- —Guest Uhegwu Princewill
When is a Chemistry set not a set?
- My 40 year career started with a chemistry set I received as a young teenager. My interest in science and chemistry blossomed as I did experiment after experiment learning so many new things about elements and compounds and lots of chemical reactions. The whole idea was to utilize and discover the properties of chemicals. For a kinisthetic learner the actual use of the chemicals and learning techniques was most valuable. Without chemicals what is there to learn?
- —Guest Claude Young, RPh
Hogwash
- I received my chemistry set at 12 years old, at Christmas, and it was the best present ever. It launched me into what ended up as my very favorite subject, and I eagerly devoured everything I could read about chemistry from that point on. I also spent six years as a petroleum products analyst in the Army. No chemicals in chemistry sets? With ammonia, lye, potassium nitrate (stump remover), bleach, sulfuric acid (drain opener), and hydrochloric acid readily available everywhere, what's the point? Cheap chemistry kits which will peak no one's interest, while avoiding lawsuits. Hey, how about arithmetic without numbers, for all those people who hate math?
- —jderrico
Chemistry Sets
- I tried to buy my kids & grandkids a good chemistry set. In this day and age it can't be done. Got out my old copy of "The Golden Book of Chemistry" and stocked them up with most all of the chemicals used in that fantastic educational book of chemistry ( my Dad got it for me when I was only 6 years old. Parents worked and played with their kids back then). I'm probably on a "watch list" now but the kids have a great insight into the chemistry of everyday reactions and quite a head start into a future in science which is the only thing that will make this world a better place to live in. If chemistry sets make dope heads and guns kill people then spoons made Rosie O'Donel fat!
- —BigMikeSr
Give Back the Chemicals
- Sellign a "chemistry" kit without chemicals in it is a quick way for them to make money. They are basically selling an empty box. By worrying about making things safe all of the time, we are dumbing down society. How will humanity ever reach its true scientific potential if we are too afraid to handle anything that could possibly harm us?
- —Guest LittleEep
Chemicals in Chemistry Sets. Absolutely!
- At the age of 7, I got my first chemistry set. It contained small bottles of chemicals that were needed to perform laboratory experiments. Without those chemicals the chemistry set would have been worthless and I could not have gained the first-hand knowledge of things such as reactions that caused color changes, produced bubbles, and a vast array of fabulous things. Some experiments were absolutely amazing and thus it created a spark of interest that never left me. Later, I took chemistry, physics and a vast array of sciences that led me to a career in laboratory work. I actually worked for American Biltrite Rubber Company and had the pleasure to test the results of ozone on natural and synthetic rubber compounds and products. I feel that children that have that natural curiosity and ability to perform actual chemical tests and experiments are far more likely to become chemists and other positions within the Scientific Community.
- —Guest Joe C. Smith
Chemistry kits aren't dangerous
- I think they should keep the chemicals in chemistry sets. There are more dangerous chemicals under the kitchen sink or shed. Stunting our next young scientists is ill-advised.
- —Guest Soon
Leave it alone
- Chemistry sets are not chemistry sets without chemicals. It's tough enough to encourage an interest in science. A person wanting to obtain a chemistry set has taken the first step to a more advanced understanding of our world. Don't discourage that interest.
- —Guest Greg Dembowski
as above
- A vacuum is a space occupied by a health and safety person ?. No a chemisty set is not in my estimation dangerous, the danger exists to teach us not to put fear into the minds of children or their parents.
- —Guest david Bradbury
Magnus Pyke
- Rf CharteredChemist's post, 'I met a famous TV expert called Magnus P[yke once', the Wikipedia entry on him says, r. Magnus Alfred Pyke (Paddington, London, 29 December 1908 — 19 October 1992) was a British scientist and media figure, who, although apparently quite eccentric and playing up to the mad scientist stereotype, succeeded in explaining science to a lay audience. He was known for his enthusiastic way of waving his arms around as he spoke.". A former colleague had hium as one of his lecturers at Uni. He told the tale that MP frequently gave lecturers with a pile of Petri dishes stacked up on the edge of his desk. As he walked around waving his arms wildly, one knew that it would only be a matter of time before he knocked the plates flying... Magnus Pyke's first cousing was one Dr Geoffrey Pyke, inventor ofa substance called pykrete (ice + cardboard). This was used in the design of a ship that could be resealed if hit by a torpedo. It was known as Project Habbakuk. Sadly, WWII ended before this ship could be built.alan.j
- —Guest Alan Crooks
Doug Frick
- 87 Years old my first Chems came in small wooden boxes. Pot nitrate and other harmfull chems by todays standard. Chemcraft I think. Where will ou young chemist start. With baking soda and vinegar? Heaven help the liberals.
- —Guest fdfrick@att.net
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