tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1840710415146608121.post3017197409205087349..comments2024-03-28T14:22:15.243-04:00Comments on A View from the Beach: High School Chem Lab Fire Sends Six to HospitalFritzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08403113111574246294noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1840710415146608121.post-46167523584914130792015-10-31T13:35:24.201-04:002015-10-31T13:35:24.201-04:00In high school, I had a basic chemistry class, and...In high school, I had a basic chemistry class, and A.P. chemistry class, and a summer organic chemistry class. By today's standards, most of the actual labs would be taboo. We didn't have fume hoods, did everything on open soapstone lab benches, rinsed our glassware in benzene or toluene, and flushed everything down the built in sink drains, that no doubt went into the municipal sewer system. We made thermite, did electrolysis of water (making hydrogen gas and oxygen gas, then recombining it with combustion, reduced silver nitrate to make mirrored surfaces, played with elemental mercury.<br /><br />It was a lot of fun. Too bad many kids won't get similar experiences in modern schools. It's a wonder kids learn anything.ruralcounselhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09193188081686431709noreply@blogger.com