The following links lead you to background information and tutorials for lab techniques that you will need to employ in your HHS science classes.
Using a Bunsen Burner:
The links below demonstrate the parts of a bunsen burner, their functions, how to ignite and extinguish the burner and how to use it safely.
Slideshare lighting a bunsen burner
Using Graduated Cylinders:
At the links below you will learn what a meniscus is and how to read it properly and then practice making volume measurements to the appropriate First Best Guess (FBG) to properly indicate the uncertainty of the measurement. You can find more information on reading instruments to FBG on the Uncertainty in Instruments page in the Error & Uncertainty section of this site.
Meniscus: This wikipedia entry explains what a meniscus is and describes the two types.
Reading a Graduated Cylinder Animation & Practice: Watch this interactive animation to learn how to read a meniscus properly. The animation will pause periodically and require you to answer questions about reading the graduated cylinders before you can continue.
Practice reading meniscus to FBG: Use this Challenge to confirm you can read a meniscus. The place value of the FBG is determined for you, all this tests is whether you can estimate the position of a meniscus accurately.
Using a Balance:
OHAUS Triple Beam Balance Explained: This interactive tutorial from OHAUS details carrying a balance properly, setting it up and zeroing it, and using it to measure mass. It also includes practice problems with feedback that require you to make a proper estimation (FBG). Finally there is a section that explains the principles upon which a balance works.
Reading a Triple Beam Balance: This interactive video details the parts of a triple beam balance and explains how to use them. The basics are also true for a 4 beam balance. After clicking through the first 7 slides and watching the demonstrations, you can practice the process and check your answers, but once you click to slide 8, you will not be able to go back and can only move forward by completing the exercise on each slide. You can practice as many or as few as you feel you need to. Just be aware that this tutorial does not address uncertainty and therefore does not have you record an estimated digit as proper significant figures rules require.
Reading a Triple Beam Balance Challenge: This Challenge lets you check your understanding by measuring objects on a Triple Beam Balance with a Least Count of 0.1. You are asked to read to FBG and you must get ten correct to receive the certificate.
MIT Video on Using Balances: This video focuses on electronic balances, but details proper techniques to apply for weighing in the lab regardless of the device.