Nice people thread part 6 - thrice by twice as nice :)

PasturesNew

MiddyMum wrote: »

...memorise the entire periodic table in order ...

I always wondered what that was. There was always a poster on the wall, but it was never something mentioned in any of the classes I was in - must have been an O level thing.

All I remember of various sciences is: bits of round paper and dropping ink, mashed up grass and potassium permanganate into them to see the pretty colours they made as the colours spread.... can't remember what that was for though. Pin hole cameras - making one, taking it outside - then nothing interesting really happening. Bunsen burners with gauze. Push is the same as pull.

That's my scientific lot

MiddyMum

Nikkster wrote: »

In a lab where I spent a few months, one often may lab games was 'quick fire' periodic table, basically a race to draw a group/ period/ whole table. Super cool :cool:

I SO want to go and play!! :rotfl:

MiddyMum

PasturesNew wrote: »

I always wondered what that was. There was always a poster on the wall, but it was never something mentioned in any of the classes I was in - must have been an O level thing.

All I remember of various sciences is: bits of round paper and dropping ink, mashed up grass and potassium permanganate into them to see the pretty colours they made as the colours spread.... can't remember what that was for though. Pin hole cameras - making one, taking it outside - then nothing interesting really happening. Bunsen burners with gauze. Push is the same as pull.

That's my scientific lot

I used to find "practicals" really dull and on my last course I found out that I still find them dull. I am definately in the cant-I-just-read-about-what-happens-in-the-textbook? camp. Hell, if I was a scientist i think I'd just want to blow things up to get any kind of excitement out of me..

dinofabio

MiddyMum wrote: »

I think I have always had a good memory though, took it upon myself to memorise the entire periodic table in order at school and strangely I have still been able to retain every single one of them....always a great party trick when I appear thoroughly wasted and conversation lacking. So, I just reel off the elements and leave people shocked and for just that moment I feel intelligent lol.

I'm impressed :cool:, and even more so that you can do it when you are bladdered !

MiddyMum

dinofabio wrote: »

I'm impressed :cool:, and even more so that you can do it when you are bladdered !

I've always been pretty lucid when drunk, just very very giggly and silly.

MiddyMum

We should hold a NP dinner party, would be a very interesting night!

misskool

oh dear, the strong winds will make my drive rather interesting small light car

lostinrates

Its horrid put there missk, wrap up warm.

Our car died this morning, limped home and got parents car, luckily dh's train was half an hour delayed. Have to take car limpio in to the garage, but pretty sure its foing to be a new one this time.

silvercar

Nikkster wrote: »

I can do long multiplication but not long division Educated solely in the UK, and I think I only missed a handful of days throughout that. Thank goodness for calculators and Excel!

I once commented at parents evening that they seemed to have by- passed long division, apparently it wasn't on the syllabus as people have no need to know it these days! I think that was a year 5 ( juniors 3 in old language) parents evening. Logically it should have followed long multiplication that was year 3 (juniors 1).

silvercar

MiddyMum wrote: »

I can do long division, and at the grand age of 25 I finally mastered simultaneous equations. I recently retook my GCSE Maths, it felt really strange being the oldest one in the exam hall as everyone else was 15/16. I felt very stupid too, but it had to be done. I can't believe I found them so difficult when I was doing my GCSE's, I must have gone up a few IQ points since then. Although, I was elated when I got my result last month (A*) I got a D when I was 15, and I retook it 6 months later and still got a D, so I thought I would be eternally doomed where maths was concerned as I clearly didn't have natural aptitude. But then I realised that being good at maths is about being really good at memorising lots of formulas and then being pretty accurate at adding up and taking away and you have pretty much nailed it. I think I have always had a good memory though, took it upon myself to memorise the entire periodic table in order at school and strangely I have still been able to retain every single one of them....always a great party trick when I appear thoroughly wasted and conversation lacking. So, I just reel off the elements and leave people shocked and for just that moment I feel intelligent lol.

I'm tempted to comment that a D years ago would probably get you a C or even a B today, certainly compared to the 70s and 80s, but an A* is certainly an accomplishment.