OHAUS has donated a new Scout balance to help support practical science learning at Co-op Academy Grange in Bradford, West Yorkshire.

Senior Science Technician John Dilger recently welcomed visitors to the academy’s science laboratory, where he shared the story behind some of the equipment used by students. Among the balances in the lab is a vintage OHAUS Brainweigh B1500D, believed to date back to the 1980s and still occasionally used when demand for balances is high.

The school also uses several other OHAUS models, including an Adventurer Pro, an Adventurer balance, and a Galaxy 1500D – another 1980s instrument that continues to function well despite its age. In fact, when the weighing pan was damaged, the Galaxy balance was creatively adapted with a standard baking tray, allowing it to continue serving students in practical lessons.

During the visit, John also showed an extremely old centrifuge resembling a pudding bowl, thought to be more than 40 years old – a reminder that much of the lab equipment has been inherited over decades.

Image from left to right:

1. Brainweigh – circa 1980’s
2. Adventurer Pro – approx. 20yrs old
3. Galaxy 1500D – Also 1980’s and yes, that is a normal baking tray that John attached to the top when the pan that came with the balance was damaged. Works fine!
4. New Scout balance kindly donated by OHAUS
5. Adventurer balance, a few years old.

Co-op Academy Grange serves almost 1,500 students in one of the most deprived areas of Bradford, with over 50% of students eligible for pupil premium funding. As a result, science departments often rely on long-serving equipment to meet teaching needs.

The newly donated OHAUS Scout balance will help modernise the department’s weighing equipment and support more accurate practical work in biology and chemistry lessons.

John expressed his gratitude for the donation, noting that the new balance will make a meaningful difference for both staff and students.