Danger Lab 

Health and Safety is often perceived as an unnecessary burden by students, researchers, and workers in Higher Education. However, the importance of careful consideration for the safety of the places where we study and work is highlighted by accident statistics in the UK. While some reported accidents are minor, others can result in severe consequences such as the loss of a limb, eyesight, or hearing, or worse—injuries that can permanently alter one's life. 

This practical aims to get students to start thinking about and developing an understanding of dangers and hazards in undergraduate practicals while gaining experience in creating a risk assessment. To make the activity more engaging, a "Sensory Filter" is applied. The Sensory Activity is an educational experience designed to help students differentiate between safe sensory experiences and potential dangers. This is done through an activity that involves some element of risk and the use of liquid nitrogen.

 Students are tasked with breaking chocolate samples using a Charpy tester at both room temperature and cryogenic temperature, utilizing liquid nitrogen.

The nitrogen vapour produced when dipping the sample in, combined with the smell of chocolate, ensures an unforgettable experience and enhances the learning process.