The main objective of this work is to improve the learning in the chemistry laboratory to first year engineering students. We have first established the conditions in which this subject is taught and how students work in it. The initial situation of practical Chemistry subjects has been analyzed using opinion questionnaires, which were answered by teachers and by students. The results from the questionnaires have been used to introduce some changes in laboratory activities, and their effects on students have been analyzed. Changes have been introduced in learning materials, in classroom strategies and in evaluation. Contextualized practices closed to students’ environment and to their future job have been proposed. Diverse classroom strategies have been used: It has been favoured work and reflexion done by each single student, work in small groups and in plenary discussions. Our results indicate changes in the habits of working of the students.