Chemistry as a hobby?

chem

Hi all,

I have a degree in chemistry. Im lucky enough to have a passion for my job. I have been thinking lately about trying to get school kids etc into science and was thinking of doing some chemistry displays. Chemistry for kids if you like.

I was just wondering if the law would be a problem on this one, as some of the chemical id need for the show, could be of interest to people who had other uses for these chemicals :mad:

I was thinking of doing shows like this man www.stevespanglerscience.com

Some of his experiments http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iKEroA23WFw

I think I would be the only one doing this type of science display in the country, but with Ireland been Ireland I have a good idea as to the red tape and hoops Id have to jump before I could do this. Maybe thats why noone else is doing it

Thanks for any help on this one.

FreudianSlippers

Almost positive this doesn't belong in Legal Discussion. I know you're asking about legality of chemicals, but I think they'd be more knowledgeable in the science forums

I too would love to study and experiment with chemistry as a hobby, but I know there's no way I could without people presuming that I'm running a meth lab or some waffle. I'd have no idea where to start.

Not every amateur chemist is a drug lord. We only do it because it's just SO COOOOOOOOOL.

ChocolateSauce

If you want to get kids interested, I'd say contact a school. They have kids, they have chemicals, and provided you didn't cost them money, you might get lucky.

RMD

When I was in primary school (about 10-15 years ago) every year this guy came along and did some basic science shows. It was more interesting displays and indepth sciene, he made Ice-cream using liquid nitrogen, set a empty tea bag on fire to demonstrate heat rises etc. At the time I taught it was amazing, but I was only in junior school. Don't think most people past 10-11 years old would find it as interesting.

saim_saim

hey guys..
i feel most tough subject is only one that is chemistry but it is pretty much interesting. my teacher was Ph.d in organic chemistry and the member of IOUC.. i was very impress form him just because how he manage chemistry....

FoxT

Spangler is cool but I would guess that you might have trouble doing this kind of thing in schools here because of insurance issues?

I have done lots of experiments at home with my son using some pretty basic stuff like making a basic cell with salt water , tinfoil, & copper, or some simple magnetic stuff. We also built a crystal radio. He was about 6 at the time & delighted with it. This isnt very showy, but it is stuff that kids could do safely in a classroom.

ie instead of you demoing flashes & bangs spangler style, the kids could perhaps get just as engaged by doing it themselves....just a thought.

Good luck with it, I think its a great idea.

chem

FoxT wrote: »

Spangler is cool but I would guess that you might have trouble doing this kind of thing in schools here because of insurance issues?

I have done lots of experiments at home with my son using some pretty basic stuff like making a basic cell with salt water , tinfoil, & copper, or some simple magnetic stuff. We also built a crystal radio. He was about 6 at the time & delighted with it. This isnt very showy, but it is stuff that kids could do safely in a classroom.

ie instead of you demoing flashes & bangs spangler style, the kids could perhaps get just as engaged by doing it themselves....just a thought.

Good luck with it, I think its a great idea.

Thanks FoxT. Just an update for anyone interested. I approched my local secondary school and said Id to a demo for free if I could use the chemicals from there lab. Im still waiting for a call back

I put my idea to HR at work and they seemed interested. I will know after Christmas if its a runner with the companies backing. I also looked into making it a business, but the amount of red tape, costs etc make it not worth while. I think insurance is the killer in this country to any ideas outside the box. Im willing to give my time for free and yet I cant find anyone interested I would have taught anything free these days would be a good thing!!

FoxT

Fair play to you chem for pursuing this. My OH is a teacher & I know from her that schools are very sensitive to insurance issues, it is the first thing they think of with proposals like this, very frustrating.

Miami Snow

Hi Chem,

I'm studying chemistry in DCU at the moment, I never got the opportunity to do it at school! I think what your doing it a great idea!!

Last year I went to a talk by 'The Professor' at the University of Nottingham he makes youtube videos of experiments to do with the periodic elements. They're pretty cool and some of them are quite simple.

http://www.periodicvideos.com/

Click on an element to watch the experiment!

I love the Periodic Videos! They're very inspiring.

chem

Miami Snow wrote: »

Hi Chem,

I'm studying chemistry in DCU at the moment, I never got the opportunity to do it at school! I think what your doing it a great idea!!

Last year I went to a talk by 'The Professor' at the University of Nottingham he makes youtube videos of experiments to do with the periodic elements. They're pretty cool and some of them are quite simple.

http://www.periodicvideos.com/

Click on an element to watch the experiment!

Ther is noone quite like the Professor Great vids on youtube to!

Im finding it hard here folks to get this idea off the ground Lots of red tape. Everyone seems to be afraid of the idea because it "different". But it wont stop me! By hook or by crook I shall.

Thanks for all the help and ideas here, have taken them all on board. Think my problem is my passion for it. I want to run before I can crawl. It was like a friend of mine into model rockets. He wanted to launch a rocket and was allowed to after months of talks with the Garda etc...

In the end the local fire engine was on site the day of the launch, Garda everywhere and large turn out of locals. 5,4,3,2,1 ssssssssssssshhhhhhhh and of the rocket flew. Poped its shoot and floated to earth. The locals were happy as it was something different and new, my friend was happy as he got to fly his rocket and collect data from it. The firemen and Garda ended up wondering why such a big fuss made of it? No explosions? No fire? No terrorist ;)

This is my friends hobby and passion. A hobby followed all over the world without any redtape and fire trucks. Why are we so different