General observation:

[Winsttom]

General observation:

A friend of mine is a Senior Lecturer in a dental school and told me about a young first year she saw lighting a bunsen burner with a spark wand held at arm's length as thogh the thing was going to blow up in her face. When asked what she was frightened of the student replied that she had never lit one before. I am amazed that youngsters can get through A level without lighting a burner. As an entrant to dentistry I feel sure she must have done chemistry. What DO they get to do?

Surely, the first thing they should do is get the kids to make things go BANG!!! Why would children want to do science if all they get to do is watch videos.

Craft skills should be brought back. As a 55 year old, I could still go into a woodworking or engineering workshop; name the tools; their function, and use them with a tolerable degree of confidence.

The world does not have to revolve around a computer screen!

     

[Mr Sensible]

Hear hear Winsttom!

[Mark]

I entirely agree. 

I usually ask physics degree applicants about their training in experimental science at GCSE and A level, and I often feel very sorry for them.  Practical science in schools seems to be nowhere near as stimulating and risky as I experienced 40 years ago.  However, teachers must do their best in an environment where students cannot be exposed to even minor risks because of litigation and legislation.

The problem is that real science can be dangerous... but fun!
   

[Ian Lyon]

Hear, hear.

This is pretty much the gist of my reply to the topic 'Virtual Instruments' in Scientific Research Methods.

At school we ran a chemistry club (under teacher supervision!) where we made hydrazine, nitrogen tri-iodide, phosphine (in a fume cupboard with appropriate safety of course), silvered a telescope mirror.... 

Yes, I know that Health and Safety Officers would look at that list and have a fit but we did do it very safely with appropriate precautions and gosh, we did have fun, and set me up for an exciting life of science - and sadly I note that all the responders here who agree are of a 'certain age'.