my first chemistry lab (like actual chemistry, rather than as part of the “sciences” subject) involved us mixing two components we were not given the names of in a test tube, then we would go out to the school yard and while we were holding the test tubes with tongs the teacher shoved a match into each of them to show the efficacy of the black powder we had just unknowingly made. there was so much glass everywhere.

like, it was cool, but i don’t think anybody learned anything from that other than how to make black powder, which i imagine most people with a dad learn at one point or another.