I get it. I have purchased a lab piecemeal, and every piece we invest in here at Insanitek makes me cringe. The price tag can be more than a bit stressful. But there is a secret in science that most people don’t know: Much of what we use is often cobbled together or have a …
Category: Education
Fire Starter: Chemical Reaction on a Match Head
It is a simple, everyday object with a long and science-y history…the match. Today, we may strike a match to light a birthday candle or bonfire or a charcoal grill or a celebratory cigar, but for our ancestors, the ability to consistently start a fire meant survival. They relied on fire for heat, cooking, and …
Project Planning With Kids
Listen up, educators, we need to talk about project planning. We know projects are a fun way to explore a concept. It’s supposed to make it hands-on and give the students a chance to learn things more “in-depth.” But, we also know it’s expensive and the kids may not actually learn more about the concept. …
Constellation in a Jar Nightlight DIY
I used to live in the country where I could look up at night and see a dark blanket spotted with light. There were so many stars I wondered how people used to identify constellations. Then, in 1994, I received a Box of Stars (not an affiliate link) book and kit. Since then I have enjoyed making …
The Discovery of Chlorpromazine (AKA Thorazine)
Transcript: Intro Chlorpromazine is often known by a brand name of Thorazine. It’s an antipsychotic used for people with manic and schizophrenia disorders. It was considered ground breaking for the psychiatric field. It allowed them to move on from barbaric methods of therapy like electroshock and lobotomies to something that has the potential to correct brain …
Home lab: Making room in a small space
Have you ever wanted a home lab? If you’re anything like me, you’ve spent your life trying to make room for various things you want to do. In my world, science was no exception to the rule. I was usually trying to find space for some experiment or another. It’s a constant struggle, and one …
Add Creative Thinking to Your Astronomy Classes
Astronomy is a topic that has captured imaginations for time immemorial. It’s likely that our earliest ancestors looked to the sky in wonderment, then tied it to the thing most precious to them: stories, family, and gods. With this sense of awe already in our hearts and minds, how can you keep that fresh while …
Rag Wreaths [Applied Science]
Welcome to the first instalment Frugal Fun ─ which takes an assortment of lessons and applies them in a fun, frugal way. These posts are designed to take basic lessons and apply them in utilitarian, hands on ways. After all, what’s the point of all these lessons if you don’t know how to apply them? …
Science is for everyone ─ not just scientists
Editor’s note: This post has been updated and broken links removed. Please see our policy on broken hyperlinks for more. Science communication circles are growing ever more popular and passionate about science. Google “science is for…” and you’ll see that it fills in “everyone.” No doubt it’s because of the associated TEDTalk, but it’s an infectious, exciting …
Cornell Method Modification [Study Method Tips]
The Cornell Method of taking notes is pretty straight-forward and helpful to people just starting out in the world of developing good study habits. The original plan was to take notes during lecture, then add your own comments and thoughts in a smaller column, then summarise every page at the bottom like the image to …