Our Aspirin synthesis experiment was a very interesting educational experience that gave me a better understanding of the process involved in developing an important healthcare innovation.  Aspirin is a very important healthcare innovation that revolutionized the process of treating pain and inflammation.  It was very informative to learn how aspirin is synthesized through the combination of salicylic acid and acetic anhydride along with phosphoric acid, which catalyzes the reaction.  Watching the crystallization of the aspirin crystals was fascinating, and I was very surprised by how much aspirin was created once I vacuum filtered the aspirin crystals.

The aspirin experiment gave me a better understanding of what it is like to conduct an experiment and use the scientific method.  I followed a step-by-step approach and made important observations over the course of my experiment as I used my various science senses.  An important science sense that I used frequently during the experiment was the numbers sense.  The experiment required precise measurements of different chemical compounds, and I needed to use my numbers sense to obtain exact measurements of volume and mass.  In addition to my observations and use of numbers sense, I also needed to establish a control for the experiment to determine the purity of my aspirin.  Methane was used as a control in order to test for trace salicylic acid in the aspirin, and the differences in color helped to show this.  Incorporating these different components of the scientific method made this lab experiment a very educational and worthwhile experience.