A reduction in safety hazards. Not only are smaller quantities likely to present less severe safety hazards, but the use of plasticware precludes the possibility of injury due to broken glass. Most experiments can be performed more quickly on the microscale. Less space will be needed for storage as the volume of chemicals will be less. Also, the space needed for equipment storage is far less.
Students really enjoy working with microscale equipment.
Teachers should attempt to use a variety of student assessment techniques during the laboratory activities. Included among those should be techniques which can be used to obtain information in the psychomotor and affective domains. Rating scales, observational checklists, anecdotal records, and test stations could be included. If students are performing tasks which can not be done with pencil and paper, then it is not appropriate to base their assessment on the results of pencil and paper tests alone. Gain proficiency in manipulating laboratory equipment.