Australia's Science Forum

Hi Robb!
Let's make it a triffecta... can you send me a copy as well.
Our fax number here is 02 6922 5659.
Many thanks,
Lou P.

Hi Judy,
I can't say that I have tried this but "the Laboratory" manual suggests either allowing molten agar to cool to 45 degrees or pouring agar into warmed petri dishes.
I'd be interested to know if it works myself.
Lou P.

Hi guys! I have been fortunate enough to have approval for me to attend the STANSW conference on 1st Dec. I was wondering if anyone a part of Chemtalk is attending and if so maybe we should either wear a special name tag for identification as part of this wonderful site or something? What do others ...

Hi all, Can anyone give me hints/tips or a new experiment for this? I have tried pouring 150ml of 1.0M Dextrose soln in a bottle and added 3M NaOH. Finally when I add 4 - 5 ml of Indigo Carmine (200mG in 100ml distilled water), the bluey green colour does not last long and shaking doesn't bring it b...

Hi Lab,
I agree with you. Maybe we could approach CSU and see if they could do something for us southerners.
Lou P.

Thanks Robyn,
I would love to attend, but I will still keep checking if there isn't some thing sooner.
Lou P.

Hi Rae, This is an experiment at year 8 level to demonstrate chemical potential energy stored in a peanut. Essentially, you take a peanut, mount it on a pin in a cork and light it. Place the burning nut under a test tube of water held by clamps on a retort stand. The temperature of the water needs t...

Thanks everyone!
It's been really interesting to see how others do the experiment. At the moment my boss is preparing for a primary school demonstration and we have had fun testing out all these alternatives.
I just love this site!
Lou P.

Hi Steph,
Could you send me one too please?
My address here is Mater Dei Catholic College P.O. Box 8185, Kooringal. NSW. 2650.
Thanks in advance,
Lou P.

Thanks everyone for the good advice and direction. I will look into the options and pass on what I find out. In the mean time, thank you all for being there!

Hello viewers, I love this site and all help/suggestions/guidance given. My boss is really great but as busy as a trout swimming upstream. He has given me approval to seek/attend science assistant courses but I am not quite sure where to look (the previous assistant having been in the job 27 years a...

I see it as part of my contract of employment to facilitate the teachers with their requirements for science. I have petty cash and I am lucky as the teachers (99% of the time) plan a week ahead and therefore I can plan as well. We are a school on the outskirts of Wagga and have a small shopping cen...

Does anyone know of any training coming up either in MSDS' / chem registers or even just lab assistant training?
Lou P.

Ta Ocker, and the same to you.
Lou P.

Just thought to share this idea. As a school that has a number of anaphylatics, we have come up with an alternative to using peanuts in "peanut power". Tiny Teddys work as affectively and smell nicer too!

Thanks Lee,
I did get your recipe and will definitely give it a go.
Lou P.

Hi Estelle,
Yes we are using Science Focus as text books although this is the first year we have had year 8 and year 10 (the school only opened in 2004). Glad to know another school is at the same stage as us. Thanks for the tip of Q Stores for DCPIP soln.

I have recently had the request for DCPIP Solution for testing for vitamin C but have discovered that it is not readily available ie phosphoric acid not available to make up the DCPIP soln. Has anyone got any ideas/suggestions/alternatives/recommendations for this basic food test?
Lou P.

Hi Sues,
I am new to all of this myseld but have discovered that ajax powder with a small amount of water removes silver nitrate stains. The more recent the stain, the more effective it is. Hope this helps.