Science Lab Tools Vocabulary

balance scale a tool used to compare the mass of two objects We used a balance scale to compare the mass of the objects.

beaker A wide cylindrical glass or plastic vessel with a pouring lip, used as a laboratory container and/or mixing jar I mixed the liquids in the beakers.

collecting net a tool used to capture insects or small fish I caught a butterfly in my collecting net.

compass a tool used to determine geographic direction and the orientations of landmarks, objects and people The compass shows the Sun sets in the west.

coverslip a square piece of glass used to hold specimens onto microscope slides I placed the coverslip on top of the plant cells.

forceps tools used to pick up, manipulating or extracting small items Forceps are also called tweezers.

funnel a cone shaped tool used to help pour substances into small opening containers The yellow funnel helped me pour the liquid into the bottle.

goggles a pair of glasses worn for protection during science investigations Since I was wearing my goggles, I didn’t get any chemicals in my eyes.

graduated cylinder a container marked with a graded scale and used to measure the volume of liquids This graduated cylinder contains 3 ounces of liquids.

hand lens a hand-held magnifying glass The hand lens will help make things appear larger.

hot plate a tool used to heat solids or liquids The beaker sits on the hot plate.

magnet an object that attracts iron or steel Magnets can be in the shape of a horse shoe.

meter stick a ruler that is a meter long This meter stick is made of wood.

microscope an instrument that uses lenses to make small objects look larger The microscope can magnify a plant cell so we can see all the parts.

microscope slide rectangular pieces of glass used to place specimens on to view with a microscope I placed the plant cells on the microscope slide so I can see them with a microscope.

Petri dish A shallow circular dish with a loose- fitting cover, used to culture bacteria or other microorganisms The Petri dishes are filled with different microorganisms.

ruler a stick used to measure length. It is usually 12 inches long Some rulers are only 6 inches long.

scale the measure of the pull of gravity on an object The sugar was a weight of 1 ounce.

scalpel tools used for cutting We used the scalpel to dissect the frog.

science tools tools used in science investigations Our Science labs now have science tools.

stop watch a tool used to measure time A stopwatch is a timing device.

telescope an instrument that uses lenses or mirrors to make distant objects look larger and closer With the use of a telescope, I can see Jupiter.

test tube a clear, cylindrical glass (or sometimes plastic) tube usually open at one end and rounded at the other, used in laboratory experimentation The girl is looking at the test tube.

test-tube brush a small round bristled brush used to clean test tubes. The test- tube brush will help remove any chemicals from the test tube.

test-tube holder a metal clamp used to hold test tubes. The test- tube holder lets me hold the test tube without getting chemicals on me.

test-tube rack a wooden or plastic rack used to hold test tubes The girl removed a test tube from the test-tube rack.

thermometer a tool used to measure temperature in degrees The thermometer reads 78  F.