4 types of Pathogen

The four types of pathogens are protists, fungi, bacteria, and viruses. All can cause infectious diseases, some deadly. While we have drugs to fight them, one group is notoriously harder to destroy. Do you know which pathogen is the toughest to kill?

The Protist

Fungi

Bacteria

Virus

 

Why are UK children so unhappy?

 A-Level Sociology: UK children rank among the unhappiest in developed nations. Key factors include exam stress, social media pressures, appearance anxiety, rising living costs, and family breakdowns. How do these social issues shape their well-being? #Sociology #Wellbeing

Raspberry Pi

Showing students the power of a £100 Raspberry Pi! From building web servers and streaming video to creating file servers and even using word processors, it proves you don't need a pricey computer to achieve big things. #RaspberryPi #TechEducation

Cleaning equipment

 While teaching a student an electrolysis experiment series, I realised it was their first time ever washing lab equipment. Cleaning between experiments isn't just a chore—it's a fundamental scientific skill that bridges technique and professional practice.

# Beyond the Experiment: The Critical Art of Lab Equipment Maintenance

Scientific practice extends far beyond the moment of experimentation. One of the most overlooked yet crucial skills in laboratory work is the meticulous process of cleaning and preparing equipment. This fundamental practice is not just about tidiness—it's about scientific integrity, precision, and professional development.

## Why Cleaning Matters

Equipment preparation is more than a mundane task. It directly impacts:

1. **Experimental Accuracy**: Residual substances from previous experiments can contaminate new tests, leading to skewed or invalid results. Thorough cleaning ensures each experiment starts with a clean slate.

2. **Instrument Longevity**: Regular maintenance prevents chemical buildup, corrosion, and degradation of expensive scientific equipment. Proper cleaning extends the useful life of laboratory tools.

3. **Safety Protocols**: Cleaning reduces chemical residue risks, preventing potential reactions or exposure to hazardous materials during subsequent experiments.

## Learning Beyond the Technique

For students and early-career scientists, equipment maintenance represents a critical professional skill:

- It teaches discipline and attention to detail

- Demonstrates respect for scientific methodology

- Develops habitual precision that translates across all scientific disciplines

## Best Practices for Equipment Cleaning

Effective cleaning involves:

- Using appropriate solvents for different types of chemical residues

- Understanding material compatibility

- Following systematic cleaning protocols

- Proper drying and storage techniques

## Educational Implications

Educators play a crucial role in embedding these practices. It's not enough to teach experimental techniques—we must also instill the foundational skills of equipment preparation and maintenance.

By treating cleaning as an integral part of scientific practice rather than a peripheral chore, we cultivate more rigorous, professional, and thoughtful scientists.

The seemingly simple act of washing equipment between experiments is, in fact, a profound lesson in scientific methodology, precision, and professional conduct.

Temperature Measurement

 Measuring the heating and cooling effect using @pascoscientific wireless thermometers. The experiment can be set up very quickly, and Capstone can record all the data and make it available in graphical form.

Rectangular Compass

 Drawing circles using two pencils and a rectangular-shaped compass. Placing pencils in different holes, circles of various sizes can be created. Many of the students found this easier than using a regular compass.

Looking at Stress

Exploring how stress lines appear in an acrylic shape under polarised light when squeezed. The pressure points were clear and vivid! Ultrasonics can also reveal stress in other materials. Fascinating physics in action!