Australia's Science Forum

That is ridiculous. How on earth does that help you do your job or show that you know how to do your job safely? The training levels is a good question. The question of why a chemical has a particular name is just pure trivia.

Oh why do finance people get so protective of this stuff? Lack of trust? Maintaining their position of control over us minions? Fortunately I don't have a problem here with our finance people but have experienced it elsewhere. Why won't they let you have access? I don't buy from Westlab, but don't y...

I can only assume it is the detergent? But I am concerned that it is the newer ones that are "failing". Maybe quality is not as good as the older ones? I'll be persevering with the dishwasher for now, in the anticipation that restrictions are lifted soon.

When COVID restrictions came in that allowed pracs but with cleaning of equipment between classes, I removed the safety glasses from the labs (that hardly ever got cleaned) and made up class sets in tubs. These have been stored in the prep room, taken by the teacher and returned for cleaning. I have...

We bought circular (donut shaped magnets) and they were really good. The IEC ones I bought last year are doing a great job. I'm not sure how prices compare between the AMF and the IEC ones but I would guess they would be a similar quality.

Thanks to Stile which has pre-entered pracs on Riskassess, I've been asked for "transparent metric ruler without sloped or bevelled edges". Really? All I have are rulers with sloped edges, at least they're transparent. Does anyone else have to deal with Stile pracs? From what I hear, Stile is great ...

We use scalpels with all year groups (7-12) depending on the class behaviour of course. As a substitute we also use the single sided blades you can buy at Bunnings. This gives them a side to hold on to and the blade is still sharp but less fragile than a scalpel blade. Funny you mention that. My so...

We let Year 8 use scalpels and rarely have anyone cut themselves, no worse than any of the other year groups. I do have broken blades returned to me. I'd like to think that they don't make scalpel blades like they used to but I suspect it's the little cherubs stabbing the blade into the chopping boa...

Labbie wrote: ↑16 Mar 2021, 14:45 Yes but perhaps you can dilute a 2m down for 1m .

Did I misread? I got the idea that the solid had liquified. I think you're idea of sealing it with the silica sachet would be a great idea to prevent, but even ensuring the lid is on tightly can help (depends where you are in terms of humidity).

My advice: send it off for disposal and buy fresh. Solid NaOH is not expensive. You will have no way of knowing the strength, even for juniors.

If you get a reaction and change with the more dilute solution...I'd just put it out and not say anything to the teachers in future. If anyone gets agro...just plead the safety line :) Ha - they don't get agro, more just disappointed - kind of like if I'd told them the college has banned cake. :?

I've offered the more dilute form to teachers and they seemed a bit unimpressed, without even trying it out! Occasionally, one will do it as a demo but not often. I'm happy, because regardless of what the students get to use, I have to handle the solid. I haven't had to make up new solution in years.

Thanks for your input, everyone, I don't feel as stressed as I did, I have not been through the process before and thought being selected meant you would be committed to a 10 week trial. I'm not trying to get out of jury duty, just would prefer to wait until I have retired, with all the time in the...

bigmack wrote: ↑02 Mar 2021, 08:18 LOL Merilyn ...just had to google Pony Beads

I'll send you the name of my counsellor

I remembered something I thought was strange: pony beads. Not being a crafty kind of person, I had no idea what a pony bead was until I had to work with a teacher who liked to demonstrate lots of things via craft. Look, it was probably really effective, but the teacher made such a big deal about it,...

Yeah, I should remember that. Did it at uni, but that was in 1990-something! I guess I'm excused for forgetting

We use methylated spirits and any soft leaves - so pinch stuff from the garden. I'm not sure of the method, but I do know they have to heat it first - usually a water bath set up. Sorry, can't help any more!

Don't like your chances just based on employment restrictions. If a trial actually went as long as 10 weeks, most don't, the school would have to find a replacement. There's a good chance if you get called up you will either receive a message to say you are not required, show up and sit around for h...

We've bought piglets from Dissection Connection. Teacher was happy with them. We only bought one for each bio class for a teacher demo, so cost wasn't excessive for a senior class.

Assuming your teachers have "common sense"