What do you need for Biology class? First, you can use many recycled and household goods for lab: yogurt containers, plastic cups, craft sticks, rulers, plastic bags, coffee stirrers, paper plates, to name a few items. Think creatively. While a mortar and pestle is nice, you can crush material with a hammer (or rock). Instead, buy the basics. I shopped for good prices.
1. Safety glasses. Goggles are fine, too. My teens are better about wearing safety glasses, which are more comfortable.
2. Buy a test tube rack and test tubes. If you have an extremely small budget, buy borosilicate test tubes and hold them in a yogurt container.
3. But a glass thermometer.
4. Buy one 100-mL, polypropylene, graduated cylinder.
5. We use a digital microscope for slides. The microscope attaches to the laptop with a USB. I have never been able to connect one with a cell phone or tablet. They work with laptops. However, not every microscope works with every laptop. Buy one from Amazon or Walmart so it’s easy to return if it’s incompatible.
6. Since you bought the microscope, you’ll need slides. This set of 30 has plenty of variety for Biology.
7. Dissection Specimens are pricey, but help ensure your child has an authentic experience. If you can only afford one dissection, buy a frog specimen. Dissect it on a paper plate or recycled styrofoam plate with manicure scissors. Really.
While a digital scale or dissecting tray are nice, they aren’t essential. Below are some pix of equipment I use in lab. Look for eScience or Labpaq lab kits to cannibalize. Reuse the gloves and masks leftover from COVID. Don’t feel as though you must invest hundreds of dollars for Biology.
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