Australia's Science Forum

I was really hoping for some ideas more specific to this years theme - Oceans - innovations and sustainability.

Could I please also receive a copy of the booklet.
kjones@cedars.nsw.edu.au
Thanks
We have already done many of the typical open day ideas. I was hoping to get some different ideas specific to this years science week theme of sustainable oceans.
Kathryn

I know it is a long way off but my HoD has asked me to start thinking of ideas for science week so he can apply for a grant. This year it is on
‘Deep Blue: innovations for the future of our oceans’
Any ideas for lunch time activities and experiments for primary kids?

Kathryn

That sounds horrific. Good on you for not having anything to do with it. I suspect that without your help, it will be too much effort for the teachers - they won't want to do all the prep and cleanup!
Kathryn

Good to get this info. The last lot of bar magnets I bought are absolutely hopeless so I have been reluctant to purchase more.
Kathryn

Hi all

Do you have an SDS for your sealed radioactive sources or do you just use RA's? I have a very out-of-date SDS but can't find a recent one.

Kathryn

My understanding is we have to do a stocktake and have a record of all hazardous chemicals, easily available incase of fire, but as long as we are below the stated thresholds, we do not have to apply to Safework for a licence. Although it is my least favourite job because it takes so long but no one...

As expected we are nowhere near the limits of what we can store onsite without having to notify Safework. However, it is great to have this confirmed in writing. See attached the limits for NSW - other states may differ.

Kathryn

Every year I have "discussions" with the Junior School teachers about ethanol based hand sanitiser. I tell them it is ok for under Yr 7's to use it as long as it is stored out of reach and monitored by the teacher. They insist that being on the teacher's desk is sufficient monitoring. I passed it on...

Our preschool has recently purchased some new hand "sanitiser" as they are not allowed to have the ethanol based sanitiser. After looking at the website for Siqura I felt a little suspicious of their claims. "Unlike traditional alcohol based hand sanitisers that only provide short term protection, t...

Thanks for your comments. I can not find any mention of limits on the Safework website so have sent them an email - I'll let you know when and if I hear back from them. I'm sure we are well within limits but it would be nice to have that confirmed.

Hi
I've just completed the chemical audits for all the rest of the school. The TAS department has increased their LPG from what they used to store. Can anyone tell me what the limits are for LPG onsite before a special license is required?
Thanks
Kathryn

Glad to hear all was ok for you. I assume insurance papers are all online now. We've once had to evacuate in a hurry and in the end it was family and pets that mattered. Of course our cat was no where to be found so had to hope for the best for her. (All was good - fire was water bombed about 50m fr...

Keen to hear how the day went for you Bigmack?

Just finished this prac for this year. I know the iron thiocyanate has to be made fresh, but can the 0.002M KSCN and the 0.002M Fe(NO3)3 be kept until next year? ie: what is the shelf life for these solutions?

Thanks
Kathryn