Practical Chemistry; what is it for? Laboratories have been seen as mystical places where students will understand and be excited by bubbling potions and magical black boxes but what actual learning is taking place? Analysis revealed that much less learning was actually taking place in the laboratory and so eleven years ago Bristol ChemLabS a HEFCE CETL in practical Chemistry set out to change the way practical Science is taught. Through a Dynamic Laboratory Manual which contains video clips of instrument set up and practice virtual experiments a range of formative self test health and safety information and a test that must be passed before entering the laboratory the emphasis was shifted to pre-laboratory. The transformation in learning was instant on the student learners but also on all the stakeholders involved in laboratory teaching. This article describes the transformation and the impact
