Australia's Science Forum

Peptone is added to agar as a source of protein. When we ran out of peptone I started to use gelatine which we have in abundance. Gelatine is also a protein and much easier to source - your local friendly supermarket. It works equally well as peptone. Our peptone used to stink after a short time, an...

Pommy,

His name is Glen Sawle.

Robbie

Hi Mary, We had our microscopes repaired/serviced in February by James Entwistle of Eyepoint Instruments. He took over from Robin Parkes who ran this business for many years. His contact details are: Phone: 02.9673.0012, FAX: 02.9673.0013, Mobile: 0438.331.902, Address: 19 Henry Lawson Avenue, Werri...

Oops! I meant to use wash bottles, not spray bottles, for the fire extinguishers...

Robbie

Hi Lis,

Have faxed a copy to you too. I'm really looking forward to meeting
this wonderful group of scientists!!!

Robbie

Ever made fire extinguishers? It does not use colours but uses household chemicals. You need a spray bottle, tea bag (one with the string) bicarbonate of soda and vinegar. Very carefully empty the tea from the tea bag and replace the tea with the bicarb soda. Pour some vinegar into the bottle and da...

Bindi,

I have sent the fax to you. Hope you can come!

Robbie

Hi Bindi,

I'll fax the info to you this morning. Just checking - your fax no. is 9976.2753?

Robbie

PS. I am really looking forward to meeting other chemtalkers!!

Hi Kim or anyone else,

Can you tell me where you purchased the agarose? Agarose is supposed to be a far more refined form of agar and hence works a lot faster, but the price is probably horrifying...

The speed also depends a lot on the voltage used.

Robbie

The Phillip Crisp course costs $300 + GST and includes a course book (220 pages), morning tea and lunch each day and a certificate of attendance. Alternatively you can attend one day only for $198. Day 1 includes: General lab safety How to avoid an "accident" Dangerous chemicals Disposal o...

If you don't know the area, have a look at the Ravenswood website, http://www.ravenswood.nsw.edu.au, where you will find a useful map of the area. In the Centenary Centre at the school there is an assembly hall, where our training course is, and also a much larger auditorium. I hope my school can af...

Ravenswood School for Girls is in Henry Street, Gordon - just a short walk from Gordon station. The course will be in the Assembly Hall, Centenary Centre at the school.

Robbie

Phillip Crisp is the man presenting the two-day training course. This is what he has to say about himself: I am a senior lecturer in Chem Sciences and Engineering at the Univ of NSW and, for three years, I was the OHS Coordinator for the Fac of Engineering. I have a PhD in chem and more than 30 year...

First week back?? Feels more like two or three!! We had a cross country run/Year 12 concert yesterday and an ANZAC assembly today to vary the normal things, but I am still hanging out for the weekend.

Regards,

Robbie

For a number of years we have obtained rats for dissection from the Gore Hill Research Lab. However, they have stopped breeding/supplying these little critters. :cry2: Any suggestions for an alternative source of supply - preferably somewhere in Sydney? I'm sure Year 10 will be deeply saddened if no...

Hi Estelle,

I would also love a copy of the risk assessments.
My email is robyn@triode.net.au.
Thanks muchly!

Robbie

Rainbow-Sky hello! We don't need one 2kg. piece of malachite - but several pieces totalling about 2kg. in all. However, after starting this drama of where to source it, would you believe I found a container of malachite in my own prep room... so I don't even need it now! It will be good to have the ...

Hi Robyn...

Please let us have the contact number when you have it. It would be wonderful if he is still in business.

BTW, John Behrens says hello!! He's the one who asked for the malachite.

Have a good weekend all,

Robbie

Hi Robyn (definitely nice name

I would love his name and contact details!

Robbie

Greetings all,

We have started teaching Earth and Environmental Science (NSW) in Year 11 and need about 2 kg. malachite for prac work. I have tried Geoscience in Canberra and Treasure Enterprises in Qld. with no luck. Any other suggestions from all you lovely people??

Robbie