Australia's Science Forum

I have 50mls solution of nitric acid and copper sitting in the fume cupboard. Any suggestions on getting rid of it?

Noticed for a while that there was a 'sweet' smell in the chemical storeroom that I think is acid (HOD didn't agree). Checked the bottles and they seem okay. Left a container of bi-carb open hoping to absorb the odour however when I walked into the prep room this morning the smell had permeated the ...

I order chemicals through a science supplier (whoever has the cheapest including freight) and groceries are purchased at our local IGA (the only supermarket in the town) where the school has an account. Stationery supplies are through procurement.

We have a new science HT who is horrified that the school has never provided lab coats for the students to use for experiments. She feels it is a WHS issue. What do others think?

I move around between 3 departments - science, food tech and office. Science and food tech have always been a full time workload however over the last couple of years I have been required to do office duties 1 1/2 days a week and also called upon to do office time if any SAOs are away. The science/f...

We are a DoE school and the HOD (Science) told me that as long as we abide by what the CSIS says, we are covered. He said the Risk Assess program is unnecessary as the CSIS is our bible.

Any pracs ordered by teachers are written on a piece of paper specially designed for the purpose (and it is just the required equipment and nothing else) and stuck to my prep room bench. Once the order has been filled and returned the paper gets thrown out. On the teaching program that is used by st...

We have class sets of textbooks which need to travel between classes including up and down some stairs. Recently purchased some collapsible trolley carts (plastic crate, handle and two wheels) but two have already broken. In the past the teacher(s) have sent 2 kids to carry the crate of books but th...

If you go to the ASSIST website they have a SOP for rat dissection which may answer your questions.

Thanks Sunray. Did a Google search and I'll go with the blue silicone tubing - much cheaper

We are looking at purchasing bunsen burners and I have been asked to try and find hosing suitable - "black bits on each end and netting around the hose" (this is the exact description the HOD gave me). Any ideas where said hosing could be bought?

None in Science at all. Cert III in Education Support completed while working as a teachers aide. Was thrown in the deep end with Science and left to sink or swim (fortunately I swam) and have relied on Google, Chemtalk, PD days, The Laboratory book and asking the chemistry teacher.

Apparently some bottles of phenolphthalein solution did not work in a titration prac so I was wondering how do you test whether phenolphthalein is good or not?

I have some carbon electrodes that were plated with copper. Some carbon electrodes have been cleaned with elbow grease and steel wool but I can't get the copper off some of the electrodes no matter how hard or how long I scrub. Any ideas?

We have a farm and an ag teacher who is attached to the science department. We also have a GA who is also the farm assistant.

Can anyone tell me if using potassium dichromate for a volano experiment is allowed? The order also asks for matches, vinegar and bi-carb soda

Note: If a domestic product is used at school for other than personal use, it is classified as a workplace chemical. The substance is therefore covered by the Hazardous Substances Regulation and must be included in the register. Although workcover states only hazardous goods need to be on a chemica...

I have gleaned from these posts that only hazadous chemicals need to be recorded on a chemical register. When I took over as science assistant in a DEC school I inherited our school chemical stocktake so I have continued with what my predecessor did and this meant recording everything like glue stic...

Our new lab has smoke alarms fitted. Burning sugar is the only experiment that has set them off. General bunsen burner experiments have been okay.

You still have to be careful even if they were previously trained in that area. We have a casual teacher for science who used to be the HOD until he left in 2007. Last week he tried to organise a prac for a Yr 7 class that involved concentrated nitric acid and copper wire pieces. I had to inform him...