Australia's Science Forum

I phone our local butchers who organise this for us. They contact their suppliers who will truck it to the local butcher. We arrange the date that we would like to do the Prac, and the butcher works with our dates. I go down late morning to collect it from the local butcher. They prefer late morning...

I would put in a request for it to be looked at, especially if a student has been playing around with the fume cupboard. It should be looked at and signed off to say that it is safe for use.

Hi Everyone, We have completed a sheep disection before. We ask a local butcher to arrange it for us, and we let them know what specifics we want to look at. The butchers arrange for the stomach to be cleaned, the intestines cleaned, include oseophagus and some of the other organs. We have it washed...

We also have one at our school. I asked our physics teacher to show me first, and to write down some little experiments to be used in the classroom. I wouldn't go having a go by yourself, especially if it is your first time. We have a rubber mat that we use to stand on. Have a great time, and your s...

I clean them myself, however I will not pull them apart. I sent some of our microscopes away for calibrating and service at the end of last year, and I will send some others off at the end of this year. I record with a sticker when they were sent and that they have been calibrated. We will keep send...

When we make sherbet in the school, or any other food source that students may eat, our policy is to thoroughly wipe over benches before the prac. I always purchase plastic cups, foam cups, plastic spoons etc and I have special measuring cups and measuring spoons when using food samples for consumpt...

Does anyone in Lab Land have a form that they have formatted, that can be used in the event of an incident occuring during an experiment. This form does not have to include injuries, as no injuries occurred, however we would like to record the incident for later review when looking at problems that ...

Sorry, wrong words. "We ask them to inform us as to when they have ignited their bunsen burner." No funny visuals, please. We are very safe with our practicals.

I am feeling very lonelly over here in SA, can I please have a copy also. I am thinking perhaps NSW is the place to be. You are a great support team for each other. From One very jealous South Aussie Labby.
Thanks
laurena.grieger@waikeriehs.sa.edu.au

Due to living on the river and the ever changing river system, we are our students to collect water samples from various areas of the river in our area. Some between locks and some after lock 1. The students are then asked to perform tests on turbidity, ph levels, salinity (very interesting), temper...

in our classes we count out three boxes that must be moved around the room, just before the end of the lesson the boxes must be handed back, it doesnt matter that they have all been used and we count them back in. This works for us and the students inform us when they have ignited.
Laurena

We use Vegetable people, similiar to the above notes. We use an onion and potato with celery arms, (short and Long), carrot feet or parsnip, with sultananas or apricots for eyes. We find the students love it. They get to name their little baby.
Goodluck

We are currently trying this year for our year 10's - 8 weeks of Physics, 8 weeks of Biology and 8 Weeks of Chemistry. These are being taught by our teachers specialising in these areas. This I believe is working quite well, as the students feedback is that they get a real feel for whether they like...

Thanks very much for your information, I'm glad that we can help each other out. I have another question and that is: Do you use Quickfit Apparatus? Recently when a year class was making esters, the Bottom of the Pear shape flask, broke an sprayed bench and equipment with Butanol and Ethanoic acid. ...

Does anyone have or use esters in their year 11 experiments? I would appreciate hearing from anyone that make esters and the materials they use, and how they go about it. We currently use a quickfit apparatus with Ethanoic acid and Butanol and are considering a change. Any advice or help would be ap...

In South Australia we need to apply to the Animal Ethics Committee to use rats in schools. The Gilles Plains Animal Resource Centre provide these frozen rats, frozen rats are cheaper than live ones. Unfortunately as I am in the country we need to pay for the delivery costs also. I am currently in th...

Hi everyone, I have just been reading all the notes on Audit time and I am dreading the day I get notified. Can I have a copy of your details you used to prepare you for your audit. I am so glad that we have lab technicians that are able to share stories, resources and materials for all to use. Than...

I am in need of microscopes being repaired. Does anyone have a contact person in South Australia? Thanks for your help
Laurena

run, hide. Are they wrong! I usually wait, comment by yourselves after class. Beware you may offend the teacher, after all we are only Lab Technicians. However, if you have strong views go and see your Science Co-Ordinator and inform them. Good luck as it is not easy. Be confident in your role and r...

I also keep what I class as cooking materials separate in my storage room, and products with material safety data sheets, are stored in their correct areas. I find it all easy to obtain for staff and ourselves, if we all know our storage areas and we have labelled.

Laurena