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Intelligently designed organisms are all over. "In 2010, crops modified by molecular methods were grown in 29 countries on more than 360 million acres. " Detecting which organisms are products of intelligent design is big business although you can also buy a kit for classroom use for about $200.00 http://www.carolina.com/product/gm+food+extraction+and+amplification+kit+with+0.5-ml+tubes+(with+prepaid+coupon).do?keyword=detect+by+pcr&sortby=bestMatches "Explore a modern application of genetic engineering through this exciting laboratory activity. This activity investigates whether the soy or corn ingredients in various processed foods contain a genetic modification. Students isolate DNA from wild-type and GM plant material (provided controls), and from food products of their choice. They use the extracted DNA as a template in 2 separate PCR reactions run under the same conditions. " Certainly any organism will pass on its genetic traits through natural selection as determined by the environment, but it is an interesting question to me as to how to determine where the traits originated from. If you have a control to compare against - it is easy to determine if a trait was created - but what if you have no control to compare against? For example - if glowing fish were discovered in Laguna Chicabal today how could it be determined if the glowing trait had evolved naturally, or if someone had genetically modified some of the fish in the lake 40 years ago and those had fish reproduced and carried on the glowing trait? Ugmoe

Carolina glow-in-the-dark DNA transformation kit to show how genetically engineered DNA can be inserted into plasmids and then into the DNA of E. Coli.

One guy said that pennies made before 1971 are worth more than 1c in copper, and that the newer pennies might soon be worth much more than 1c due to their high zinc content.

It was 1982, not 1971.

Elements of yesterdays and todays pennies: http://www.carolina.com/chemistry/experiments/penn yskins.asp Actually, this experiment sounds pretty cool. In searching to find the make up of a penny, I came across another article on the cost to produce pennies in the US and the imminent doom (kidding) of the lack of copper may be a reason to revisit: http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a981009a.html

More information on this here

And don't forget to paint it with rocket fuel...

In effect, the Hindenburg was coated with solid rocket fuel.

Argh but I get tired of people using the Hindenburg as proof hydrogen is dangerous.

The Hindenburg burned because of the paint that was used, which is chemically similar to rocket fuel.

Hydrogen burns with an invisible flame. Watch the footage - it's not the hydrogen that's the big problem.

If I had to be in a car crash, I'd prefer a hydrogen car to do it in. Gas tank ruptures, hydrogen floats off. Gasoline lays in puddles underneath me.

Weaselmancer

I agree. Building your own chemistry set would be more fun, and you would learn more.

The best way to learn is to teach. Collecting a bunch of good chemistry experiments, and the sources for the materials, would make a great project.

And you aren't the only one who benefits...

Some places to start:
Delights of Chemistry
Demonstration Lab
Lecture Demonstrations
Chemistry Resources

Some Sources of chemicals:
CHEM Scientific
Fisher
Sagent Welch
Carolina

I am certain you will get lots more from other Slashdaughters...

Carolina Biological Supply has a bunch of learning kits, books, and software that would probably help you out. We get most of our lab supplies through them.

Could this be used as an explosive? We all all remember the Hindenburg [vidicom-tv.com] right? (it was filled with Hydrogen).

The hydrogen wasn't the problem - turns out the ship was basically coated with rocket fuel.

It probably has something to do with Helix Educational Software.