We Remember Our Volcano Fondly

Many classic school science experiments have been shelved due to safety concerns, reports the UK's Times. Experiments such as dropping sodium in water or setting fire to magnesium are often skipped as "fear of burns, spillages and volatile reactions means that even mundane procedures such as distillation are often viewed online rather than performed in the laboratory," says the Times. However, John Holman, the UK's chief adviser on science in schools, and David Phillips, the president of the Royal Society of Chemistry, say it is important for students to learn safety and to experiment. "All the evidence points to practical work being the thing that pupils like to do," Holman says. "This isn't about how do you get more Grade Cs in GCSEs, it's about how you inspire more young people."