Science Class

Cocktail Glasses

I love the idea in this month's Martha Stewart Living of using lab glassware to serve cocktails. This would be great idea for a Halloween party. Mix-up a brightly colored cocktails and serve with a contrasting colored straw. Stardard grade 250ml flasks from Carolina Lab supply just $3.95/each.

Chemex Coffee Maker

The Chemex coffeemaker was invented by Peter J. Schlumbohm, Ph.D., in 1941. It has been selected by the Illinois Institute of Technology as one of the 100 best designed products of modern times. I have not tried it, but supposedly you can brew very strong coffee without the bitterness. The glass construction does not absorb odors or flavors. This 8-cup model is $37.90.

Modern Sea Monkeys

This self-sustaining ecosystem contains plants, live shrimp, algae and microorganisms within a hand-blown glass sphere ($89). It requires only indirect light and moderate temperatures, and offers hours of fascinating viewing. Each EcoSphere comes with a handbook that explains how it works and how to care for it. Average lifespan is 2-3 years.