Your Own Chemistry Set

Collect yoghurt pots, jamjars and bottles to do experiments in and to store chemicals. Be sure to label everything, and keep it well away from food.

If you want to buy equipment, the most useful things are dropper bottles which you can get from the chemist, and small paint palettes from art shops to use as testkits. A small funnel and kitchen roll will filter liquids. Blotting paper from stationers is great for chromatography. Cut up straws to use as droppers. Coffee stirrers make good spatulas.

The most useful chemicals to keep in stock are:

From the supermarket:

• Distilled (white) vinegar
• Washing soda
• Turmeric powder
• Food colouring

From the chemist:

• Bicarbonate of soda – larger packs than supermarkets
• A pack of Alka-Seltzer
• Household borax – hardware stores and chemists stock this, you may need to order it

From an art shop or stationer:

• PVA glue (it must be PVA)
• Blotting paper