This post relates to a project sponsored by the local American Chemical Soceity Section.

High schools in the section are canceling advanced placement chemistry because of lack of interest by studnets. The best chemistry teachers that taught these classes are moving on to other things. High schools with 1000+ students have less than 10 request the AP class. The section leaders have hypothesized that some interesting lab work during the first year chemistry class might perk up interest. I am leading an effort to arrange cool labs for sophomore/junior students, and maybe some day middle school students. We have cooperation of a local college to provide lab space on Saturdays.

In out first lab this saturday we are going to make several azo wool dyes and dye some wool, graciously donated by my sheep. Presuming all goes well and I survive 21 students we would like to do other labs.

Either as students, TA's, profs or ordinary citizens have you seen any neat labs that would stimulate interest in chemistry- analytical, organic , especially bio?

Please respond by email bjtindall@mindspring.com

I wouldn't recommend it as a lab, but it could be done as a demonstration and have the students work through the reactions on paper--my high school chemistry teacher demonstrated the thermite reaction, and we were all amazed.