> 3.7 GPA university grad, admitted to me the other day that she didn’t know what I was talking about when I mentioned a mortar and pestle <
Retired public school chemistry teacher here. Many school districts - including my own - have been relentless in eliminating lab periods. They say it’s to save money.
So the lab skills that I taught back in the day are no longer taught. Using a mortar and pestle, titration, determining density, etc.
All gone now.
I passed Chemistry because of my acing the Final Exam: Identifying the substance. I’d loved the lab work, and have reasonably logical mind. Did terrible on homework and exams. But give me a lab and mystery? I WILL find the answer, and I did. Was nearly failing, but came away with a ‘B’ for the course. Kids today don’t know how to think, or to DO anything!