Australia's Science Forum

I had this problem a few years ago. I cleaned up as best I could, then sprayed with WD40.
Cheers, Ellice.

Hi all, I hate to mention the "R" word so early in the year, but my HOD handed me a flyer on Risk Assess Release 2 by Phillip Crisp (software for Risk Assessments in Schools), and has asked for an opinion. Is anyone familiar with this system? Any comments would be appreciated. Regards, Ell...

Hi Kathryn,
Haven't done this for a while, but in the past we've used chalk dust on black cardboard, as an alternative to charcoal.
Cheers, Ellice.

Hi Rosalie, We did this with our prep kids earlier this year. I had large containers of vermiculite (sand pit OK), and buried some large bones that I'd found in a cupboard here (cow I think). We gave them paintbrushes, and away they went. Instead of choc fossils, I cut up egg cartons, and put some p...

Where are you Macca?

Hey kids. forget the junket! This rennet stuff works a treat. I use 1mL to make a 1% soln (100mLs) and that keeps a class going for a lesson. That 20mLs for $5.50 was good value. And even better, it's working!!!

After years of liver, junket tablets, egg white, blah, blah, we had a go with catalase and amalase last year with reasonable sucess. Now the three bio teachers :w00t: :crazy: 8O want to try milk and rennin. As I had trouble buying junket before, I've bought rennet from Southern Bio at $5.50 for 20mL...

I don't know how accurate this is, as I got it from a student at Smith's Hill High, but the story is that a student was sent to get some mercury for a class, and was running back when he dropped the container and mercury went everywhere. I just looked at CSIS, and mercury is not banned in schools, b...

Hi all,
Does anyone have any info on the Mercury spill that happened at Smiths Hill High School (Wollongong). Apparently fire brigade and hazchem were called in. I read about it in the local paper.

Hi Smee,
I make it up fresh each time. I use the recipe : 100mLs 0.01M KMnO4 + 17mLs conc Sulfuric acid. I just checked some I prepared on Wed, and it's gone clear already.
Cheers, Ellice.

Hi Rita,
I have sent you a PM on this topic. Did you receive it?
Cheers, Ellice.

Hi Smeee,
Just looking quickly, the prac we do uses 0.25M Sodium thiosulfate and 2MHCl, but I am familiar with the Iodate one. Will keep looking at old notes.
Cheers,

Hi all, Thanks for the ideas. After a few trials, we are going to go with a procedure that involves 25mLs of NaOH added to different volumes of HCl (10, 20.....70mLs). Taking temp before and after. Kids work out heat of reaction point, do graphs, blah, blah. Now the hard part. 46 students require 20...

Hi all, I need to put together a prac test for Yr11 Chem that comes under Heat of Reaction. The suggested procedure is temperature of 50mLs NaOH, added to 50mLs HCl. Note rise in temperature. Then do NaOH and H2SO4. Should there be much difference in the final temperatures in these two reactions? An...

I put together displays of photos of the students at different things eg. Science and Engineering Challenge, Bio excursion, visit to Science by Preps, Streamwatch. They love looking at themselves!

Hi Fellow Labbies,
Could someone fax/send me a flyer regarding the St Mary's conference please. I feel totally out of the loop!!
Ellice.

" Effects on teeth when concentrated"!!!!
I'll remember that next time I'm having a swig!!!

Hi Rae,
In past SRA's we've done strength testing on food wraps, paper towel, toilet paper. You could try different material, al foil. Cotton vs acrylic thread, different wool, string, twine.
Hope this helps.
Rehards, Ellice.

Hi all out there in labbie land, This is an SOS for some prepared slides needed for a prac test. I'm after either testis or ovary. So if there is anyone in the Wollongong area who can help, please contact me. At this stage I need another three. Thanks in anticipation, Ellice. 0242200271.

Hi all, Had a quick read through the survey, and think it gives a good indication of how things are in labbie land. One thing I noticed was that 40% of people in the job are over 50. (I'm one of them). That means there is going to be a bit of an exodus over the next few years, and I'm wondering if t...