For science laboratory equipment and supplies, Bambang hits the bull’s eye

When it comes to doing hands-on science, homeschooling can be a double-edged sword. On the one hand, homeschooling forfeits the privilege of having practical access to a proper laboratory setup.  On the other hand, homeschooling allows you to design your own hands-on science activities and experiments and make them as creative and engaging as possible.

I’m a big fan of kitchen science and its inventive approach of using everyday materials around the house to explore scientific concepts. In my own home, we have used drinking glasses, milk bottles, and various cooking ingredients to understand phase change, the density of liquids,  air pressure, etc. While our kitchen science has adequately addressed our science experiment needs, I’ve always longed to put together a simple science lab kit.

If there’s any place where you could get science laboratory equipment and supplies in Metro Manila, it has got to be Bambang Street in Sta. Cruz, Manila. Bambang is to medical and laboratory equipment as Dangwa is to fresh flowers and blooms. As the hub of medical and science laboratory supplies retailing, Bambang Street is where you could get everything from litmus paper strips to wheelchairs at prices lower than you could find at regular health stores.

Prior to setting off for Bambang, I had done some Googling to see if there were stores that specialized in science laboratory equipment and supplies. Most Bambang stores sell medical and surgical supplies and equipment predominantly while stocking a handful of science laboratory glassware. My online search led me to Chrisel Sci-Lab Center, whose shop-front displays feature such science lab staples as a platform balance, benchtop centrifuge, and microscope, as well as scientific toys from National Geographic and Uncle Milton.

Inside Chrisel Sci-Lab Center you’ll find all kinds of Pyrex laboratory glassware like test tubes, beakers, Erlenmeyer flasks, and graduated cylinders. Pyrex laboratory glassware are pricier than their lesser known counterparts, but you do pay for the Pyrex quality and durability. For our home science lab kit, I purchased the following:

6 x 20-ml test tubes @P29 each               –             P 174
1 x 400-ml beaker                                                          195
1 x 250 ml Erlenmeyer flask                                        205
1 x 500 ml Erlenmeyer flask                                        260
1 x 100ml graduated cylinder                                      535
1 x test tube rack                                                            100
1 x test tube holder                                                          25

The total came up to P1494 but was reduced to P1420, after I asked for a special, ehem, homeschooler’s discount. 🙂

If you’re looking for quality science lab equipment for your homeschool science needs, look no further than Chrisel Sci-Lab Center on Bambang Street, Sta. Cruz, Manila. The store is located on the same side as the southward LRT Bambang Station (going to Baclaran). For your inquiries, you may contact Chrisel Sci-Lab Center at these numbers: (02)945-4180 / 547-6370 / 545-7075 or email them at chrisel_scilab@yahoo.com.