Australia's Science Forum

I haven't ever been asked for this, but see if you can get a copy of the prac from the teacher, to give you an idea what they are doing. I have made waxed paper in the past for juniors, so maybe you could use the same method. Melt parrafin wax pellets, then dip a slide into the wax, perhaps holding ...

Be interested to know how much mercury it involved, as a little runs a long way as we know. Covering 2 sq metres isn't all that big an area, unless it was solidly covered. Wouldn't have thought of calling emergency services before, but now I would knowing what we know about mercury. I was put in a p...

Hi Rosalie
A whole packet of mentos fits in a large test tube 150mmx24mm. Put a microscope slide over the top of the test tube. Invert the tube and slide over the bottle opening. Then all you have to do is pull the slide out and the mentos drop in to the bottle. Oh and run!

I got one many years ago, thinking that I could put broken glass in it. But it was difficult and dangerous to put the glass in the top with the plastic "fingers". Easier to wrap it up in newspaper.

Gosh I wish the teachers here would or could enforce uniform regs, even if only for safety - but they fight to get them to take of their hats! Can't imagine using spats - then they would blame the spats if they leaked and not the inappropriate footwear underneath!

Hi Shas If you are in a det school, you do not have to clean sinks. That is the job of the cleaners. I believe they get paid better than us, so I do not do their job for them. The teachers need to take some responsibility for the behaviour of the kids and the cleanliness of their labs. I also apprec...

If you are a state school, see your SAM. Not sure about private schools. Building maitenance is the job of a general assistant, or repair man. Do not feel inadequate if you can't fix things - we are not trained to do so. We only have our common sense. If you can't fix it, or get it fixed by the scho...

Thanks for your replies. We don't use the TVs as receivers either. Hope we can get some of these smart boards, as they sound great!

As we do not yet have any, and having read your comments, do I understand correctly that TVs are no longer needed?

Some lady in China said on a show the other night, if it moves they eat it! Rats mights be bigger than quail for instance!

We do DNA extraction using split peas. Very cheap and also use metho and works well. You do not have to even add the enzymes - whatever they suggested, either. Got lots of stringy stuff.

Just asking, but if it is a food, why do you have to have an MSDS?

We bought our 3D one years ago from Mentone. Good quality, and still going.

Whilst it is policy not to eat, the amount of food in the bench sinks and behind the heaters makes a mockery of this. I also do not encourage eating experiments. Sherbert is made in plastic zip lock bags. I did have a special set of beakers for choc fossils, but only a "special" teacher ne...

If you can afford it and it looks good, get it. Years ago I listed everything on a spreadsheet - over 600 items, with the rooms - labs and prep rooms in the columns. This is easy to maintain, better than the old cards. But if you don't have to type it out, then that would be good. It is easier on co...

The regular lamps on stands that are used for electricity pracs operate like that. They glow brighter with more volts, say 2 to 12. Is that too simple, or am I missing something?

Morning Labbie
Thank you for this info, I must have missed it before. I willl ring the relevant person for the logon.

Estelle, I'm curious about the login. I've always used the DET address which doesn't require a login. But it doesn't allow you to do a manifest. With your address, you need a login so does it allow use of the manifest? If this is the case how do we get a login and password to use this feature. I tri...

I am gobsmacked :w00t: that you are really meant to fill this in for every chemical. Don't you use the CSIS books? Or are they only the bible for DET schools? We do not have to do RA's unless the chemical is not in the CSIS book. And then it would be the teacher doing it. That is a monster burden th...

This is the address that I use, hope it helps.
http://chemwatchdb.det.nsw.edu.au