Australia's Science Forum

Hi Rhonda The following was demonstrated at last year's St Marys Conference. It worked really well. Mix 2/3 of a 100ml bottle of glycerine (available at woolworths), 4 to 5 buckets of water and 1 x 900ml bottle of morning fresh detergent. A small plastic kids' shell shaped swimming pool/sand box was...

Can't say as it would do you any good with the ladies, Richard, but yeah, WD40 is a very important part of my repair kit. I use it all the time, but CAN'T STAND the smell!!


Julie

We are planning a crystal making competition for Science Week this year. I have a couple of questions for those of you who know so much more about these things than I do. a. Does anyone know of a source of large amounts of potash alum (at least 3kg) at a reasonable price? b. Does anyone have any bri...

Do you have a bower bird?

Julie

I put that order up yesterday afternoon. Didn't you see it?

Hi Chemical

Potassium Hexacyanoferrate (II) is also called Potassium Ferrocyanide. Potassium Hexacyanoferrate (III) is Potassium Ferricyanide. Does that help? I have never used it before.

Julie

Hi Dolphinscales

We get our prepared slides from Southern Biological in Victoria. You'll find their catalog on the net if you don't have a hard copy. Their codes are similar, but they start with P, not Z. Or maybe there is a supplier closer to you in WA.

Good luck

Julie

Irreplaceable is what we are! So special no replacement would be able to measure up. I keep telling myself that anyway.



Julie

I just found this and plagiarised from another site. Maybe it's what you need. Good luck. Julie Density layers/floating demonstrations: 1. Gas jar with layers set up as follows: Pink tinted meths as the top layer Paraffin Oil Green coloured water Honey at the base Then, gently drop in a marble which...

Just a stab in the dark, because you're in a hurry - Kerosene? - Diesol?

Julie

Can we add some of our rogue teenagers to your list of crocodile testers? We don't have any crocs here. Maybe we could import some.

Hi all! Let's face it, we are irreplaceable! I had to take three weeks off to care for my daughter a couple of years ago after she had a bad accident. They replaced me for about a week, for what it was worth. The trouble is nobody knows where everything is, and they are so daunted by the whole idea ...

Hi Dolphinscales The following simple crystal prac was one of the activities at the Science SASS conference in St Marys in Sydney last November. Is this the kind of thing you're after? CRYSTAL SNOWFLAKE - BORAX Materials: Borax, beaker, jar, food colouring, wire, paddle pop stick, white (cotton) pip...

Hi Pommy

Something I have filed away as potentially useful information, but have not tried, is: for any carbon deposit, dissolve 6g trisodium phosphate and 3g sodium oleate in 100ml water. Use this solution to soak. If you have these chemicals on hand it may be worth a try.

Good luck
Julie

Hi Rae The best boots I have found, especially in the winter, are Redback men's work boots. Very solid, comfortable and they don't slip on wet floors! Not a good look with your favourite summer dress, of course, but very appropriate to what we do. If you are on your feet all day, you barely notice. ...

Hi Nicky

I have recently ordered "The Laboratory" through Bellbird Books. Stock no. 302149. Price $79.50. Have yet to receive it, but from how much reference it gets on this site I can't wait!!

Julie

Hi Leanne

I have had some success using WD40 or similar. Spray a tiny bit on the thread, leave for a few minutes and then it should unscrew with a little elbow grease and a pair of multi grips. I have rescued quite a few this way.

Good luck

Julie

Hi Lorrae

Our Biology teacher asks for Sarcina Lutea Broth from Southern Biological. Comes in a small plastic container. Costs around $8.00.

Julie

Hi Robbie The following recipe is in "Science Job Skills for School Assistants Working in Science". Dissolve 0.05g toluidine blue stain in 100ml water and place in dropper bottle. Note: works only on fresh plant material. Useful also in "plant structures" exercise. A positive rea...

Hi Nicky! Kids are always fascinated by the workings of the Van de Graaff generator, if you have an opportunity to show it working. If you have a skeleton or other anatomical models, such as ears or eyes, a torso showing heart, liver etc, they like those too. Crystals always look good; copper sulfat...