Question about Rainbow Science experiments

[ballzy]

I am considering Rainbow Science for ds12 next year when he will be in 8th. We may try to do it all in one year.

The only concern that ds12 has is the smell of the chemicals. He was in school last year for 6th and did a chemistry unit at a university with his class, and he said that the smell of the chemicals gave him a headache. He is quite sensitive to smells in general, and will even tell me he has a headache from smells in our car when we are driving around.

For those of you who have done Rainbow Science, do the chemicals for the experiments have strong smells, and do the experiments result in strong smells? He said that faint smells still bother him sometimes. Because of his sensitive sense of smell, he said that he doesn't like chemistry.

Thanks.

[Tami in CA]

bump

[LadyAberlin]

I haven't used it, so I can answer your question. I do think a lab would smell worst than doing the experiments at home. Maybe you could get him some type of mask like they sell at home depot that keeps out the fumes so he won't smell them.

[Julie in MN]

The only thing I'd worry about is the dissection materials. The formaldehyde or whatever they're in is strong-smelling.

The first unit is Physics, & I don't see any problems.

The second is Chemistry, but really pretty tame & small amounts. Can he handle a butane lighter or a little chlorine? Most of the rest of the bottles have ordinary things like oils, dirt, detergent, etc. You could look at the list online: http://www.beginningspublishing.com/version2/rainbow.htm

It isn't until semester 3 that you get to Biology.

Julie

[Rosie_0801]

Can you do the experiments outside? No greater ventilation than that.

:)
Rosie