Pay less for science equipment.

Update again!  Look at this set of test tubes with a rack!  This set would be fine with micro-scale labs,  such as Making Ionic Compounds.  The lab uses ten drops of chemicals; small amounts shouldn’t etch the plastic test tubes.  These paint palettes work well as substitutes for reaction plates.  Yes, in the past, I have used paint palettes.


Update: Metal thermometers are fine for many experiments.  This digital thermometer is even cheaper at $1.32 each.  I paid $3.34 for a similar model with Prime delivery to calibrate and test.  I’ll update this post after we test the thermometer. FYI the range is narrow.

I’m a science teacher.  Many of you are not.  Where do I buy equipment?  This post has a description of the digital scales I use.  I save yogurt cups, haunt Walmart and IKEA, and shop online for equipment.

This year, my basement is my classroom and lab.  We're teaching Chemistry, Human Biology, Physics and Statistics in the basement--which is large.  We set up white boards, a printer, lab stations, and class tables.  I bought extra tables and chairs from Walmart; the tables were $34.88 each. (Walmart had a few tables which were damaged.  We asked and earned a 10% discount when we bought them.)  We had a few folding chairs and bought a few more for $10 each.

The printer is a laser printer I bought from www.shopgoodwill.com.  We're using it for quick copies; our library offers free copies.  The overhead projector is from Good Will, too.  BTW the white board I use and these my husband uses are cheap as whiteboards.  As long as the board is wiped with a wet rag frequently, these whiteboards are fine.

As you can see, we use crates to set up supplies for labs or activities.

Here are plastic beakers and cylinders for a good price.  We use craft sticks and wooden coffee stirrers for chemical experiments.  Here are the colorful safety glasses we use.

 I bid and buy calculators from Good Will.  It's easier to buy TI 83 models than TI84.

     Amazon has a good price for test tubes and racks.  Check Home Science Tools for prices and materials, too---especially if you are teaching one or two children.

Note, I use household chemicals whenever possible.  They're much cheaper than lab grade chemical reagents.  We use an electric kettle for hot water and electric burners to heat solutions rather than an alcohol burner whenever possible.  Alcohol burners tip easily and are dangerous.  Take a look at my science blog for more lab ideas.