Equipment Expedition Station Placards
STATION 01 EXPEDITION LOG #01
Liquid Measurement & Transfer
Examine the eight tools below. Match their roles and physical descriptions with your Field Guide to crack their official names!
1
EQ-01
What I Do
I measure the volume of liquid solutions with high accuracy and moderate precision.
My Clue
I am a tall, narrow glass or plastic cylinder with horizontal lines (graduations) up my spine and a flat plastic base.
2
EQ-02
What I Do
I hold, mix, heat, and stir liquid mixtures. I am the versatile workhorse of the entire lab.
My Clue
I look like a wide, flat-bottomed cup or jar with a small lip/spout for pouring. My markings are rough estimates only!
3
EQ-03
What I Do
I hold and safely swirl liquids without splashing. I can also receive and secure a stopper lid.
My Clue
I have a broad, flat conical base that tapers tightly into a narrow, vertical cylindrical neck. I look like a glass triangle.
4
EQ-04
What I Do
I prepare, store, and measure solutions of EXACTLY one specific, highly accurate volume.
My Clue
I have a round, bulbous bottom and an incredibly long, thin neck with a single engraved line indicating the exact volume limit.
5
EQ-05
What I Do
I draw up, measure, and transfer tiny, extremely accurate volumes of liquid chemicals.
My Clue
I am a thin, hollow glass or plastic wand, sometimes calibrated with measurement lines or fitted with an adjustable suction dial.
6
EQ-06
What I Do
I transfer liquids drop-by-drop for adding indicators or building micro-reactions.
My Clue
I am a small glass or plastic tube with an uncalibrated nozzle and a soft, squeezable rubber bulb capping the top.
7
EQ-07
What I Do
I release incredibly precise, measured amounts of liquid. I am critical for chemical neutralizations (titrations).
My Clue
I am a very long, narrow tube marked with fine scale units, featuring a small plastic stopcock valve at my bottom tip.
8
EQ-08
What I Do
I safely channel liquids or powder solids into narrow openings to avoid messy, hazardous spills.
My Clue
I have a wide, conical receiving rim at the top that slopes down into a narrow, vertical glass or plastic stem.
EQUIPMENT EXPEDITION • MIDDLE SCHOOL SCIENCE TOTAL ITEMS AT BENCH: 8
STATION 02 EXPEDITION LOG #02
Containment & Reaction Prep
These vessels hold solids, liquids, or active reactions. Pay close attention to materials (glass vs. porcelain) to identify them correctly!
9
EQ-09
What I Do
I hold, mix, or heat small samples of liquids or solids during observation tests.
My Clue
I am a small, finger-sized cylindrical tube made of specialized heat-resistant glass with an open rim and a rounded bottom.
10
EQ-10
What I Do
I hold liquid reactants. My shape ensures uniform heat distribution during distillation or boiling.
My Clue
I have a perfectly spherical bottom chamber and a single narrow vertical neck. I can't stand upright on my own without a stand!
11
EQ-11
What I Do
I evaporate tiny liquid drops, hold solid chemicals for weighing, or act as a temporary beaker lid.
My Clue
I am a shallow, circular, slightly concave/curved sheet of high-durability glass. I look like a giant contact lens.
12
EQ-12
What I Do
I heat small amounts of solid chemical mixtures to extreme, melting temperatures over direct flames.
My Clue
I am a very tiny, thick-walled porcelain cup. I come paired with a loose porcelain lid to contain flying particles.
13
EQ-13
What I Do
I heat solutions to boil away liquid solvent, leaving dried solute crystals behind.
My Clue
I am a shallow, unlidded porcelain bowl with a specialized small pouring lip, glazed inside to withstand intense direct flame heating.
14
EQ-14
What I Do
I crush, grind, and pulverize solid crystals and granules into micro-fine powders.
My Clue
I am a heavy, thick porcelain bowl paired with an oblong, club-shaped grinding mallet made of the same hard material.
15
EQ-15
What I Do
I run dozens of microscopic chemical tests or reactions at the exact same time side-by-side.
My Clue
I am a flat, rectangular block of clear plastic or ceramic riddled with rows of shallow circular wells that act as tiny test tubes.
16
EQ-16
What I Do
I cultivate colonies of bacteria, mold, or fungi on solid nutrient jelly (agar), or hold small specimens for observation.
My Clue
I am a shallow, transparent glass or plastic circular dish paired with a slightly wider transparent lid that slides over it easily.
EQUIPMENT EXPEDITION • MIDDLE SCHOOL SCIENCE TOTAL ITEMS AT BENCH: 8
STATION 03 EXPEDITION LOG #03
Heating & Combustion
These tools supply thermal energy or structurally support heated items. Safety is crucial at this hot zone!
17
EQ-17
What I Do
I generate a high-intensity, adjustable open gas flame for intense chemical heating and sterilizing.
My Clue
I am a heavy vertical metal pipe stand on a wide disk base, featuring an adjustable collar valve at my bottom and a flexible rubber gas tube connection.
18
EQ-18
What I Do
I heat solutions and glassware evenly using electricity. I am chosen when an open flame is dangerous.
My Clue
I am a flat, rectangular box appliance with a white ceramic top panel and rotating dials on the front to control temperature.
19
EQ-19
What I Do
I provide a lower-temperature flame for basic classroom experiments where gas is not available.
My Clue
I am a short, squat glass jar holding denatured alcohol, fitted with a metal wick holder, a thick fabric rope wick, and a metal cap.
20
EQ-20
What I Do
I act as a structural anchor, holding heavy clamps and heating rings securely above flames.
My Clue
I consist of a heavy, solid rectangular iron plate at my base with a tall, solid steel rod extending vertically upwards.
21
EQ-21
What I Do
I clamp onto stand rods to provide a circular horizontal shelf that holds heating equipment over burners.
My Clue
I am a thick, heavy steel circular ring equipped with an integrated thumbscrew collar lock at one side.
22
EQ-22
What I Do
I lock onto stand rods to squeeze and hold glassware like test tubes or flask necks stable during testing.
My Clue
I am a dual-ended metal apparatus with a rod-mount screw clamp at one end and rubber-coated jaws that tighten with a screw at the other.
23
EQ-23
What I Do
I distribute high burner temperatures evenly under beakers to protect glass from fracturing due to hot spots.
My Clue
I am a flat, square, woven steel mesh plate. I frequently have a thick, white ceramic circular center pasted onto me.
24
EQ-24
What I Do
I suspend small crucibles safely directly above a Bunsen burner flame on an iron ring.
My Clue
I look like an open wire hanger bent into a triangle, with thick white tubes of hollow fireclay slipped onto each of my three straight edges.
EQUIPMENT EXPEDITION • MIDDLE SCHOOL SCIENCE TOTAL ITEMS AT BENCH: 8
STATION 04 EXPEDITION LOG #04
Support, Handling & Transfer
These tools extend your reach and grip. They are essential to holding hot vessels, retrieving solids, and maintaining organization!
25
EQ-25
What I Do
I lift and transport scorching hot crucibles or lids safely from heating stands.
My Clue
I am a scissor-like metal tool with two hinged arms featuring uniquely bowed, curved pincers that pinch shut on round containers.
26
EQ-26
What I Do
I pinch and support a single hot test tube so you can heat it directly over burners manually.
My Clue
I am a small hand clamp consisting of a springy, folded steel wire loop handle that stays pinched shut until squeezed.
27
EQ-27
What I Do
I carry boiling-hot beakers safely without letting hands touch hot glass.
My Clue
I am a large pair of scissor-arms with wide, oval loops wrapped in a thick, sticky layer of rubber (plastic sleeves) for maximum traction.
28
EQ-28
What I Do
I hold and organize multiple test tubes upright at once, preventing spills or breakage.
My Clue
I am a wooden, plastic, or vinyl frame containing a series of circular top holes, matching lower cups, and several short vertical pegs to air-dry tubes.
29
EQ-29
What I Do
I scrub out chemical buildup and dirt from inside narrow-necked glass tubes and cylinders.
My Clue
I am a long, flexible twisted steel handle with short, stiff nylon bristles wrapped in a radial cylinder configuration around my tip.
30
EQ-30
What I Do
I pick up, place, or extract microscopic solids, samples, or specimen tissues too tiny for hands.
My Clue
I am a pair of flat, hinged metal blades that flex inward to a narrow point when squeezed. Most non-scientists call me tweezers!
31
EQ-31
What I Do
I scoop, carve, and scrape chemical powder out of deep storage jars during ingredient weighing.
My Clue
I am a thin, double-sided, flat metal rod with one side pressed flat into a paddle and the opposite end featuring a round lip.
32
EQ-32
What I Do
I retrieve larger mounds of granular solids or powders to transfer them into weighing boats.
My Clue
I am a long, semi-cylindrical metal channel scoop. I look like a tiny, shiny metal half-pipe gutter with pointed tips.
EQUIPMENT EXPEDITION • MIDDLE SCHOOL SCIENCE TOTAL ITEMS AT BENCH: 8
STATION 05 EXPEDITION LOG #05
Observation, Separation & Safety
These crucial tools protect your body, zoom in on minuscule details, separate parts of mixtures, or wash equipment clean.
33
EQ-33
What I Do
I protect your eyes from chemical splashes, high heat, fumes, and flying debris. I am mandatory!
My Clue
I am a heavy-duty, impact-resistant plastic eyewear shield with a soft flexible seal and an elastic strap that fits tightly around your skull.
34
EQ-34
What I Do
I shield your torso and clothes from corrosive spills, stains, sparks, or chemical splatters.
My Clue
I am a long, heavy, waterproof vinyl or rubber bib shield that slides over your neck and ties behind your waist.
35
EQ-35
What I Do
I blast precise, thin streams of distilled water to rinse off chemical residue or flush out test vessels.
My Clue
I am a soft, flexible, squeezing plastic bottle outfitted with a screw cap connected to a long, curved, pointed spray tube nozzle.
36
EQ-36
What I Do
I blend solutions manually or help break down and dissolve solid solutes in liquid mixtures.
My Clue
I am a completely clear, solid glass cylindrical stick featuring rounded ends. I look like a solid glass straw with no opening.
37
EQ-37
What I Do
I filter out solid powder residues from liquids when folded into a funnel cone.
My Clue
I am a thin, porous, circular sheet of clean white paper, texturized to block solid precipitates but allow liquid molecules through.
38
EQ-38
What I Do
I magnify invisible, cellular-level biological structures so you can study microscopic life.
My Clue
I am a complex, heavy laboratory machine featuring an eyepiece lens, rotating objective lenses, a specimen stage, and a base-mounted light source.
39
EQ-39
What I Do
I zoom in slightly (5x to 10x) on physical features of plants, insects, minerals, or fossils in your hand.
My Clue
I am a simple convex glass lens enclosed in a protective circular frame attached to a straight plastic handle.
40
EQ-40
What I Do
I measure the mass of a chemical or object instantly and display it in digital units.
My Clue
I am an electric tabletop console containing a flat metal round pan, an LED number screen, and a "Tare" button to zero out container mass.
EQUIPMENT EXPEDITION • MIDDLE SCHOOL SCIENCE TOTAL ITEMS AT BENCH: 8
STATION 06 EXPEDITION LOG #06
Measurement & General Utilities
This station contains crucial tools to measure physical forces, temperatures, and general lab support items that complete your setups.
41
EQ-41
What I Do
I measure the physical mass of substances manually without requiring electrical power.
My Clue
I have a round metal platform on the left and three parallel horizontal beams on the right, each with a sliding metal weight (rider).
42
EQ-42
What I Do
I record the thermal energy (temperature) of chemical solutions in degrees Celsius or Fahrenheit.
My Clue
I am a long, sealed, clear glass tube with a narrow channel down the center holding a red liquid column that climbs adjacent to scale numbers.
43
EQ-43
What I Do
I measure the gravitational pull exerted on a suspended mass (its weight) in Newtons or grams.
My Clue
I am a flat, clear plastic vertical casing holding an exposed internal metal spring and an lower metal hook extending out the bottom.
44
EQ-44
What I Do
I track precise, elapsed reaction times, heat periods, or physical motion durations.
My Clue
I am a small, handheld digital clock with physical "Start", "Stop", and "Reset" buttons located at my top shoulder corners.
45
EQ-45
What I Do
I contain solid chemical grains on digital scales to prevent raw chemicals from eating the metal pans.
My Clue
I am a feather-light, flexible, square-bottomed plastic dish. My thin walls are designed to bend so you can pour chemical powders cleanly.
46
EQ-46
What I Do
I suspend thin glass thermometers in boiling flasks, keeping them from hitting the hot bottom which breaks them.
My Clue
I am a small clamp with a circular rubber-cushioned spring grip on one side, paired with an orthogonal T-screw bar mounting connector.
47
EQ-47
What I Do
I plug the openings of test tubes or flasks to prevent gases from leaking out, or to secure a delivery tube.
My Clue
I am a small, tapered plug made of thick black rubber, sometimes featuring one or two holes pre-drilled through my core.
48
EQ-48
What I Do
I strike a reliable, friction-based spark to ignite gas burners safely without needing active open match flame.
My Clue
I am a springy bent-wire handle holding a tiny piece of flint against a rough steel scraping cup. Squeezing my handle releases friction sparks.
EQUIPMENT EXPEDITION • MIDDLE SCHOOL SCIENCE TOTAL ITEMS AT BENCH: 8
