How educators transformed household items into laboratory equipment through innovative video tutorials
The COVID-19 pandemic created an unprecedented educational challenge worldwide. As classrooms shifted online in early 2020, one aspect of science education seemed particularly difficult to replicate virtually: the chemistry laboratory experience. For chemistry students at Raja Ali Haji Maritime University in Tanjungpinang and countless other institutions, the sudden disappearance of laboratory access threatened to create a significant gap in their practical education. The fundamental hands-on learning that transforms abstract chemical concepts into tangible understanding was suddenly inaccessible 1 .
Traditional chemistry labs became inaccessible during lockdowns, creating a practical education gap.
Educators developed video tutorials using household materials to recreate lab experiences at home.
The shift to fully remote learning during the pandemic exposed critical gaps in practical science education. While theoretical concepts could be delivered through online lectures, the experiential component of chemistry—the smells, colors, reactions, and techniques—seemed lost in translation. Educators recognized that without intervention, students would complete their courses with significant practical deficiencies in their chemical education 1 .
| Component | Traditional Practicum | Home-Based Practicum During Pandemic |
|---|---|---|
| Setting | University laboratory | Student's home or kitchen |
| Materials | Specialized chemical reagents | Common household items |
| Guidance | Direct instructor supervision | Video tutorials with step-by-step demonstration |
| Safety | Laboratory safety equipment | Household safety precautions |
| Interaction | In-person collaboration | Virtual discussion through platforms like Zoom |
Clear video tutorials with close-up shots of reactions
Using items found in typical households
Connecting chemistry to everyday experiences
Among the various practical activities adapted for home execution, the acid-base titration using household materials stands out as particularly innovative. This experiment, which would normally require burettes, standardized solutions, and indicators, was brilliantly reimagined using kitchen staples. The experiment demonstrates how fundamental chemical principles can be effectively illustrated without sophisticated laboratory equipment 1 .
Precisely measure 50 mL of vinegar into a clear glass. Add a few drops of red cabbage juice or food coloring as a visual indicator.
Carefully measure 1 teaspoon of baking soda and dissolve it completely in 100 mL of water to create a known concentration solution.
Gradually add the baking soda solution to the vinegar while stirring continuously. Observe the color changes and effervescence.
Continue adding the base solution until the fizzing subsides and a permanent color change is observed, indicating neutralization.
| Trial | Volume of Vinegar (mL) | Volume of Baking Soda Solution (mL) | Observations | Calculated Acetic Acid Concentration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 50 | 32 | Vigorous fizzing, gradual color change | 4.8% |
| 2 | 50 | 31 | Consistent bubbling, clear endpoint | 4.7% |
| 3 | 50 | 33 | Slow reaction, distinct color shift | 5.0% |
When the video tutorial approach was implemented for General Chemistry practicum at Raja Ali Haji Maritime University, researchers conducted systematic assessment to evaluate its effectiveness. The results provided compelling evidence for the educational value of this innovative approach 1 .
Overall Student Satisfaction
Accessibility of Materials
| Evaluation Aspect | Positive Response Rate | Key Student Feedback |
|---|---|---|
| Clarity of Instructions | 92% | "Step-by-step demonstrations made complex procedures easy to follow" |
| Accessibility of Materials | 95% | "I could find all required materials in my kitchen" |
| Conceptual Understanding | 88% | "Seeing reactions with familiar items made concepts more memorable" |
| Overall Satisfaction | 90% | "Much more engaging than reading theoretical descriptions" |
Students reported better comprehension of chemical concepts through hands-on experimentation with familiar materials.
Students developed problem-solving skills and saw themselves as active scientists rather than passive learners.
The successful implementation of home-based chemistry practicums relied on the creative adaptation of everyday items to serve specific scientific functions. This "kitchen laboratory" toolkit demonstrates how ordinary materials can effectively illustrate extraordinary chemical principles when guided by pedagogical expertise 1 .
| Household Item | Scientific Function | Chemical Principle Demonstrated |
|---|---|---|
| Vinegar | Weak acid solution | Acid-base chemistry, pH, neutralization reactions |
| Baking Soda | Weak base | Gas formation, stoichiometry, decomposition reactions |
| Red Cabbage | pH indicator | Acid-base indicators, molecular structure changes |
| Cooking Oil | Nonpolar solvent | Solubility, intermolecular forces, emulsion formation |
| Salt (NaCl) | Ionic compound | Electrolytes, conductivity, crystal formation |
| Sugar | Organic compound | Chemical energy, caramelization, fermentation |
| Milk | Colloidal suspension | Acid-curdling, denaturation, precipitation reactions |
| Hydrogen Peroxide | Oxidizing agent | Redox reactions, catalysis, decomposition kinetics |
The development of everyday life-based chemistry practicum video tutorials during the COVID-19 pandemic represents more than just a temporary educational fix—it illustrates a fundamental shift in how we conceptualize practical science education. What began as an emergency response has revealed enduring insights about accessibility, creativity, and effectiveness in laboratory education.
Reduced resource barriers, making practical chemistry accessible to students with various limitations.
Context-rich learning with familiar materials improved long-term knowledge retention.
Created a valuable new dimension in pedagogical toolkit for future chemistry education.
The creative adaptation of everyday materials to illustrate chemical principles has established a valuable new dimension in the pedagogical toolkit—one that promises to make the study of chemistry more accessible, relatable, and engaging for future generations of students.