Australia's Science Forum

I keep getting logged out as well - for instance just then when I clicked on the reply button. Gets tiresome.
Kathryn

Hi all Looking for suggestions as to what an unusual fungi might be. (Sorry I don't have a photo.) It was a dark colour but had a very metallic sheen to it. Definitely fungi and just on our normal nutrient agar. The swab was just taken from somewhere within the lab. Never seen anything like it befor...

We have the Hexogel Electrophoresis unit from STEM Reactor. Can run 6 gels at the same time. We have been very happy with the unit and with the service from STEM reactor. Mostly we do the candy dye extraction but once per year we get in one of the DNA simulation kits.
Kathryn

We have ordered an new incubator for next year. Our Thermoline has given up after 20yrs service. Repair was going to cost approx $800. We had the 43L but have decided to go to the next size up, 80L. Getting a Thermoline again.

Managed to find the calculations from last year - it is more complicated than just weighing out a percentage as they have to be made from combining potassium thiocyanate and iron nitrate. If anyone is interested I will put up what I am doing.

Hi Hoping someone can help me out with making standard iron solutions. The chem students are going to be doing the Colorimetric analysis of iron in foods (Pearson) and need standard solutions of iron: 0.0050% 0.0025% 0.0013% 0.0010% 0.0005% Why doesn't the textbook provide instructions on how to mak...

Where do you source your bottles from? I am finding the dropper bottles seem to now be a wider bottle which does not fit in the unitrays.
Kathryn

Hi all. Does anyone know what the shelf life is of luminol (solid)?
Thanks

I always describe myself as a science technician - as far as I am concerned I have the qualifications and are far more than an assistant!

thanks for your replies. Unfortunately our budget will not allow a class set to be purchased all at once.

I also joined on the 1 June 2006. This group has been so helpful over the years. But goodness I really can't believe it has been that long!
Kathryn

Hi all We have used the Data Harvest data loggers for ever. We are needing to purchase more data loggers and we are considering biting the bullet and going with a new brand as we haven't always been happy with the data harvest. What are others using and do you like them? Thanks in advance. Kathryn :)

Good morning
I noticed a conversation on the ASETNSW Digest about doing RA's for preparing experiments eg diluting acids etc. I have not thought about doing this before. Apart from dilution of acids and bases what else do you make RA's for (separate from the teacher RA's for experiments)?
Kathryn

It needs to be things he can do himself

Hi all One of our students would like to do his IP on something relating to the bushfires. eg: models of houses on the ground or on stilts; built from different products. It's great he would like to do something relevant but does anyone have any idea how this could be done in a safe controlled manne...

I was planning on having waste bottles for organics; inorganics (cobalt,copper, strontium); lead; nickel; chromium; zinc; silver. The 2.5L Hdpe bottles chemicals come in are stable so I would not be too concerned about them tipping over if they can be used for waste storage, and if I can source them...

Hi all Having just done my first ever chemical waste pick-up in the 15 years I have been here, I am now trying to be more conscientious with chemical disposal. I am following the advice on Science Assist. Does the wastes need to be stored in glass bottles or can some be in plastic? Where have you so...

Has anyone used Magleads? If so, are they any good?
Kathryn

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