Australia's Science Forum

Hello You may need more pellets. I use fresh Hydrogen Peroxide 6%. If it's been on the shelf too long it won't be any good. The stronger the Hydrogen peroxide, the better the result. It depends on the classes - upper or lower school, as to what strength is best. As for tapers, I put mine inside a dr...

Hi Graeme and everyone I usually mix half and half Manganese dioxide and Plaster of Paris. I also spread it over gladwrap and cover it with gladwrap until it is set. I usually make it about 3mm thick. I cut it with a small chisel into squares. You can also just break it into pieces, as long as they ...

Here in WA Manganese dioxide is classified hazardous, the dust is not good for you.
We mix the Manganese dioxide with Plaster of Paris, and cut into small pellets when
set. Use 3-4 pellets in a test tube with Hydrogen peroxide. No dust problems or black
powder everywhere!

Alice

Try using Aquadhere mixed with some water. It will probably need 2 coats.

Alice

Hi Rosalie

I put 5-6 test tubes together, secured tightly by two rubber bands and then place on one spike. This way you can get more test tubes cleaned and they won't come off the spike.

Hope this helps.

Alice

Hi Helen It happened to me a few years ago. The cleaner switched the freezer off over the school hols. It was full of hearts and rats! It takes ages to get rid of the smell. I used Nil Odour, vanilla escence and lemon juice on a daily basis. I also left the open freezer in the sun to air out, approx...

Hi Fran

Regional Tech, Austin Coulthard, Yule Brook College used to make the tubes. You could ring him and see if he still does. We have nitrogen dioxide, chlorine and iodine.

Cheers

Alice

We also have a bin for broken glass in each prep room.

Our cleaners requested that no broken glass be put in the bins in the labs as a safety precaution, and we have labels on the bins telling students not to put glass in them. Like Sue, the teacher or I clean up the broken glass.

Alice

Hi everyone

Yes, I use my lab coat every day. It is part of our safety requirements and I would be lost without it.

Alice

Hi Fran

We only use disposable gloves for dissections and if using potting mix. Teachers here have never asked for disposable gloves for chemistry.

Cheers

Alice

Hi Carol You must seek help from your OHS rep, your head of science and the Principal. These staff have no idea what they are doing. Under OHS you would not be able to guarantee the safety of these people whilst in the chem storeroom. Would they know what to do if they accidentally knocked over a bo...

Thanks Ellice & Carol

Your tips are appreciated. The heavy base with wheels is something I will have to look out for. (I'd be on my knees trying to carry the skeleton to the other science block!)

Cheers

Alice

Hi everyone I have to buy a new plastic human skeleton and wondered what other people are using and what is good and what is not etc. Some have muscle and nerve attachments, are they any good? I have got to have one that robust, as we have 2 science blocks either end of the school, and we will have ...

Hi 3 years ago, we had a new lab built adjoining the existing prep area. Be sure you have input into the meetings with the architects and builders. You need to make sure that things you take for granted in a lab are actually on the plan. eg stainless steel sinks are chemical proof, not domestic grad...

Hi I use a killing jar. Use a jar with a screw cap lid. I put approx 2cm of Plaster of Paris in the bottom of the jar and let it set. To use, pour a small amount pf ethyl acetate (do this in fume hood) into the Plaster of Paris. The Plaster of Paris will absorb the ethyl acetate, then put filter pap...

Of course you do. It saves so much time, just load it up, set it going and do all the other things you need to get done. I put everything in mine, even plastic coated test tube racks when they are grotty.
Go buy one - it's a great investment.

Alice

Check out your Driver's Licence, Visa card, Master Card etc under UV. Don't let them out of your hands!!!

Alice

Fogot this one!

Vitamin B12 crushed in water is fluorescent.

Alice

Sorry I,m late with this reply.

Fluoro pens on filter paper.
Vaseline on filter paper.
Tonic water in its bottle. (good)
White cotton fabric.

Hope this helps.

Alice

Hi ri

Try one of the book suppliers for the counters. They often have them for maths.

Cheers
Alice