1.3 Laboratory apparatus and instruments

• Basic skills in science: manipulative, observation, measurement, classification, prediction, communication and conclusion skills
• Laboratory instruments and apparatus
• International System of Units (SI) for basic and derived quantities in science
• Use and care of apparatus for heating, measuring mass, temperature, length, volume, weight, magnification and time
• Parts, functions and care of a light microscope
• Parts of a Bunsen burner
• Packaging labels and consumer protection

• describe the basic skills in science
• use and care for apparatus and instruments in the laboratory
• use the SI units for basic and derived quantities in science
• appreciate consumer protection when handling different apparatus, instruments, and other materials in day-to-day life

“Why are basic science skills important?”

“How are quantities in science expressed?”

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1. Why basic science skills matter
   40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
   Science skills turn a guess into evidence. Apparatus without skills is just glass on a bench.
2. Practising the seven science skills
   40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
   Each skill has a meaning and a laboratory action. Practise them as one cycle on a simple task.
3. Families of laboratory apparatus
   40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
   Choose a tool by its job: holding, measuring, heating, transferring, observing or supporting.
4. Beakers, flasks and test tubes
   40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
   Holding glassware: beaker, conical flask, test tube and boiling tube - uses, limits and care.
5. Measuring volume
   40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
   Measuring cylinder, dropper and meniscus. Grade 7 does not titrate with a burette.
6. The Bunsen burner and the spirit lamp
   40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
   Parts of a Bunsen burner, yellow and blue flames, and the spirit lamp used in many Kenyan schools.
7. Tripod, gauze, stand and holders
   40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
   Assemble a safe heating set: tripod, wire gauze, retort stand, clamp, tongs and test-tube holder.
8. Using a laboratory thermometer
   40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
   Parts, Celsius readings, eye level, and care. SI temperature unit is the kelvin; school work uses C.
9. Measuring mass and weight
   40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
   Mass on a beam or electronic balance (kg, g). Weight on a spring balance (N). Zero, dry pan, no overload.
10. Measuring length and time
    40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
    Ruler and tape from the zero mark; stopwatch on a signal. SI units metre and second.
11. Funnels, droppers, spatulas and mortars
    40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
    Transfer and grind: funnel, filter paper, dropper, spatula, stirring rod, mortar and pestle.
12. The light microscope
    40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
    Parts, functions, two-hand carry, lowest power first, lens tissue. Grade 7 magnification, not Senior School cell ultrastructure.
13. SI units for basic quantities
    40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
    The seven SI base quantities and units. Measure length, mass, time and temperature; name the other three.
14. Derived quantities and their units
    40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
    Area, volume, speed and density are built from length, mass and time. Work them out with school apparatus.
15. Care, storage and hazards of misuse
    40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
    Wash, dry, cap, cover, count and report. Shared and borrowed kits fail when cracks are hidden.
16. Packaging labels and consumer protection
    40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
    Net quantity, units and price per unit. Science skills protect buyers of food, fuel and measuring tools.