Unit 2
Assignment D
Diana Duka
Practical Scientific Procedures and Techniques
Review personal development of scientific skills for laboratory work
How Am I Doing?
Introduction
In the unit, I have acquired numerous new skills, alongside with using my previous
knowledge on how to use the scientific equipment from past experiments - in secondary
school I have done chromatography and titrations. I have completed Unit 2 successfully,
which will support me in the forthcoming unit and university. Some of the skills I will be using
in the future are chromatography, dissecting mammals, using a light microscope to view
cells in greater detail etc.
When studying the practical scientific techniques and procedures, I have completed
calorimetry, colorimetry, chromatography and titrations, alongside with the calibration of the
equipment before completion of the experiments. Having successfully completed the Unit 2
experiments, I can conclude that I have learned new skills and improved my performance in
a way to improve my experiments and therefore get a better result overall. There are skills
that I have further developed, these are; observation, communication, interpretation and as
well as applying safe work protocols in my environment to conduct my experiments.
My skills
Overall, the skills I have developed and learnt, will be very useful in the oncoming Unit 3.
This is because I will be able to understand the hazards, risks and precautions of the
equipment but more importantly the use of the equipment. I will also be able to analyse any
calculations, understand data collection and identify the strengths and weaknesses of the
methods I have used to conduct the experiment. By doing this, I will then be able to draw
accurate conclusions from my experiments.
All of the different experiments required me to use a range of different skills, which helped
me develop new skills and techniques and further develop previous skills, which are very
useful in the future. The skills used in the experiments are all basic everyday skills which are
needed in life to achieve the best results in the workplace, university, college, or even at
home. By writing this report, it really makes me consider the skills I already have, the new
skills that I have acquired and skills that I could develop in the future. In the following, I will
be explaining how each experiment required me to use my unique skills and how it has
helped improve my skills and techniques.
, During Unit 2 and Unit 4 practicals, I ensured that me and my peers had the correct PPE on.
This is important because chemicals may spill and can cause harm. The PPE I wore was
safety goggles and lab coat, disposable gloves if needed and always remembered to tie my
hair back when dealing with chemicals and working near open flames.
● Observation - making observations when the teacher was demonstrating the
procedures and safety, as well as the calibration of the equipment and uses of the
equipment. Through observation, I was able to apply safety protocols within the lab -
handling acids with care, keeping glassware away from the edge of the table,
keeping hair and clothing away from hot objects/flame.
● Communication - developed communication skills to communicate with my partners,
understanding the information provided by my teachers or the method sheet.
● Interpretation - interpreting and analysing results and sets of data given by the
teacher and the other group’s results, as well as trends and interpreting the data to
understand the reason as to why it has turned out the way it did. This skill was also
used to interpret published results from others that have conducted the experiment.
This skill also required me to draw conclusions, this was done by comparing my
results to other groups results as well as the published results.
● Project management - actively listening to instructions made by my teachers and
communicating that well with my partners. The skill requires an organised person
with good leadership skills and time management skills to be able to manage others
during a set task(s).
Titration
During this experiment, I had to titrate two different standard solutions, which I have made
before. The practical was split into parts due to the lesson, therefore in the first part I had to
follow written instructions to make a standard solution, which I then had to titrate.
As a whole, I have managed to produce a good set of results and was able to do my
calculations.
Within my group, I believe I was the team leader, as I have clearly set out tasks for everyone
to complete as for myself. In order to do this, I used my leadership skills, communication
skills, decision making skills, organisation skills and my project management skills. The skills
that I have just listed were developed further by the end of the practical and I have learnt
from a couple of my mistakes.
Firstly, I have developed a friendly way to communicate with my partners, which is great and
is an important skill because sometimes I can work very well in a team, however other times
I can not. This is because I tend to not communicate with my partners and decide to do
everything by myself, which is good in some situations, just not in group work. I believe that
my communication skills have improved during unit 2 practicals and I will use my
communication skills and interpersonal skills to connect and work with others in the future.
When something has spilled I made sure to act calmly and assess the situation, this meant
Assignment D
Diana Duka
Practical Scientific Procedures and Techniques
Review personal development of scientific skills for laboratory work
How Am I Doing?
Introduction
In the unit, I have acquired numerous new skills, alongside with using my previous
knowledge on how to use the scientific equipment from past experiments - in secondary
school I have done chromatography and titrations. I have completed Unit 2 successfully,
which will support me in the forthcoming unit and university. Some of the skills I will be using
in the future are chromatography, dissecting mammals, using a light microscope to view
cells in greater detail etc.
When studying the practical scientific techniques and procedures, I have completed
calorimetry, colorimetry, chromatography and titrations, alongside with the calibration of the
equipment before completion of the experiments. Having successfully completed the Unit 2
experiments, I can conclude that I have learned new skills and improved my performance in
a way to improve my experiments and therefore get a better result overall. There are skills
that I have further developed, these are; observation, communication, interpretation and as
well as applying safe work protocols in my environment to conduct my experiments.
My skills
Overall, the skills I have developed and learnt, will be very useful in the oncoming Unit 3.
This is because I will be able to understand the hazards, risks and precautions of the
equipment but more importantly the use of the equipment. I will also be able to analyse any
calculations, understand data collection and identify the strengths and weaknesses of the
methods I have used to conduct the experiment. By doing this, I will then be able to draw
accurate conclusions from my experiments.
All of the different experiments required me to use a range of different skills, which helped
me develop new skills and techniques and further develop previous skills, which are very
useful in the future. The skills used in the experiments are all basic everyday skills which are
needed in life to achieve the best results in the workplace, university, college, or even at
home. By writing this report, it really makes me consider the skills I already have, the new
skills that I have acquired and skills that I could develop in the future. In the following, I will
be explaining how each experiment required me to use my unique skills and how it has
helped improve my skills and techniques.
, During Unit 2 and Unit 4 practicals, I ensured that me and my peers had the correct PPE on.
This is important because chemicals may spill and can cause harm. The PPE I wore was
safety goggles and lab coat, disposable gloves if needed and always remembered to tie my
hair back when dealing with chemicals and working near open flames.
● Observation - making observations when the teacher was demonstrating the
procedures and safety, as well as the calibration of the equipment and uses of the
equipment. Through observation, I was able to apply safety protocols within the lab -
handling acids with care, keeping glassware away from the edge of the table,
keeping hair and clothing away from hot objects/flame.
● Communication - developed communication skills to communicate with my partners,
understanding the information provided by my teachers or the method sheet.
● Interpretation - interpreting and analysing results and sets of data given by the
teacher and the other group’s results, as well as trends and interpreting the data to
understand the reason as to why it has turned out the way it did. This skill was also
used to interpret published results from others that have conducted the experiment.
This skill also required me to draw conclusions, this was done by comparing my
results to other groups results as well as the published results.
● Project management - actively listening to instructions made by my teachers and
communicating that well with my partners. The skill requires an organised person
with good leadership skills and time management skills to be able to manage others
during a set task(s).
Titration
During this experiment, I had to titrate two different standard solutions, which I have made
before. The practical was split into parts due to the lesson, therefore in the first part I had to
follow written instructions to make a standard solution, which I then had to titrate.
As a whole, I have managed to produce a good set of results and was able to do my
calculations.
Within my group, I believe I was the team leader, as I have clearly set out tasks for everyone
to complete as for myself. In order to do this, I used my leadership skills, communication
skills, decision making skills, organisation skills and my project management skills. The skills
that I have just listed were developed further by the end of the practical and I have learnt
from a couple of my mistakes.
Firstly, I have developed a friendly way to communicate with my partners, which is great and
is an important skill because sometimes I can work very well in a team, however other times
I can not. This is because I tend to not communicate with my partners and decide to do
everything by myself, which is good in some situations, just not in group work. I believe that
my communication skills have improved during unit 2 practicals and I will use my
communication skills and interpersonal skills to connect and work with others in the future.
When something has spilled I made sure to act calmly and assess the situation, this meant
