Australia's Science Forum

Does anyone use town gas? We have just converted and had the first lesson using new bunsen burners. Apparently there was a residual gas smell so much so that they moved the next class. The onsite guys checked it out and said they could not find any fault. We have a system that should cut off if ther...

Wash once a term (sometimes once a semester depending on what's been going on first and third term). Some schools I have worked at got me to wash them on campus using school washer, others sent them out to be laundered with other school linen.

Rock, I agree! The teachers at my school (and previous schools) would not have been given the chemicals if they didn't ask for them on the risk assessment specifically.

All schools I have worked at or know in my area either provide lab coats or it is part of the booklist. It is one of the science safety points taught...always wear a lab coat and safety glasses. One school I worked at went so far as to not allow students in the lab without a lab coat on. There reaso...

Just wondering if anyone has purchased new bunsen burners lately? We have just swapped from LPG to town gas and need new ones. Looking for some with decent heat and reasonably priced.

I agree, the teacher should be asking for specific chemicals/materials. It is not up to you to do this unless you are comfortable guiding them. Some examples: Ionic Compounds: Sodium Hydroxide sodium chloride calcium chloride iron(II) oxide Copper oxide iron(III) sulfate Potassium Iodide Covalent Co...

Yeah I did but this is the older style one and they only have their newer, optical one.

Does anyone have the older model dissolved O2 probe where you have to change the electrolyte solution? I've never used them before and have been tasked with trying to get some to work. I need to replace the polarograhpic solution but the instructions are scant and I am not sure where I put the fluid...

Doh! I didn't think to look there Thanks

I've just started at a new school. It's independent and seems to not have too many written policies on things. So could anyone shore their departments or schools policies microbiology? specifically what can and can't be cultured including incubation temps? I am preempting that after I bring this up ...

Household bleach is generally 5% sodium hypochlorite. Diluting it in a beaker of water seems a waste. A quick google reveals that heating up to 60 degrees has been studies a lot. SDS doesn't say it can't be heated. I'd be doing some more investigating before doing it if I was the teacher. One thing ...

Thanks. I ended up writing up the (very old!) instruction manual and doing a risk assessment on it. Nothing on science assist unfortunately.

I haven't but sounds like a good idea in theory

New school yada yada... and I have been told that the stationary steam engine regularly gets lent out to non science teachers (from k-12) so I need to write a SOP for it. Does anyone have one I could take a look at? Google has not been my friend.

Thanks Wayne. I'm finally settling in. Very different and very busy. I do still really miss my "nice" school, especially since my eldest started there last week!

The standard says weekly. The eyewashes shouldn't be an issue it is the safety shower that is a PITA to do.

Also The webinar on Asset Management suggests not to use a Third Party software (Chemwatch, etc.. )in case the department decides to go with another provider and you may lose all of you manifests/inventorys. You can always export (chemwatch manifest) to excel every time you update. That way you hav...

At one worksite we have a dedicated flammable solids cabinet where we store it and at another I store it in the flammables cupboard: solids on top shelf, liquids on bottom.

I am curious as to where it is stored now? Under the sink???

You could always buy the bulk packs of pop top water and use the water inside for reagent prep? (in lieu of distilled water)

That's how I store mine so I hope so! I haven't read anything different