Chemistry classroom demonstrations provide students with essential hands-on learning experiences that allow them to hone observation, record-keeping, problem-solving, and prediction skills. Yet, many popular classroom demonstrations can pose safety risks when not conducted within the proper laboratory equipment.
What experiments should be conducted in a classroom demonstration fume hood?
Both ductless and ducted fume hoods protect instructors and students in the classroom from hazardous or potentially hazardous vapers generated on the work surface. While fume hoods cannot prevent accidental chemical splashes, they do provide a contained workspace that can help reduce the possibility of chemical burns in the event of a spill. While a HEPA/ULPA filter in a fume hood can provide particulate protection, it does not replace a Class II, Type A2 biological safety cabinet (BSC). Any classroom laboratory experiments that include biological materials should be conducted in a Class II, Type A2 BSC.
Though standard operating procedures can vary depending on the university or institution, demonstrations like the can crushing by air pressure and soda geyser creation experiment do not typically require the use of a fume hood. However, several popular demonstrations do generate hazardous or potentially hazardous fumes and should therefore be conducted in a ductless or ducted fume hood.
Science Demos to Conduct in a Ductless or Ducted Fume Hood
- balloon bursting via toluene
- dry ice fog creation
- carbon snake creation through reaction
- glycerol and potassium permanganate reaction
- banknote fireproofing
- rainbow flame demonstration
To reduce hazards for postsecondary and undergraduate students, it is important to implement the proper safety precautions. Fume hoods are a key tool that can minimize risks. Hoods that are designed for classroom demonstrations provide the necessary user and environmental protection with unrestricted viewing of the work surface.
Ready to update your classroom fume hood equipment?
The EDU™ Series Ductless Demonstration Fume Hood from Air Science® is designed to contain hazardous vapors and provide 360° visibility. The EDU Series uses ductless technology to enable easy transportation throughout the lab and between classrooms. Ductless filtration eliminates the need for an external exhaust source, and hardware mounted beneath the work surface lowers the center of gravity to aid in safe transport and relocation.
