Australia's Science Forum

Probably not recommended from a safety perspective, but I have been known to wave them in the yellow flame of a bunsen - very quick and easy! Perhaps just as safe as you guys walking away from them!

Yep that's how I do it too!
Only takes a few seconds and you're watching it all the time, so works better.
J

I tried the waving in flame bit until one exploded on me. Don't do that now. If the column doesn't join up with a combination of repeated hot water and the freezer treatment they are removed from circulation permanently. As for Ian's experience it reminded me of heating wax to put on steel and copper rods and having to deal with the flames as the wax catches fire on the hotplate. Certainly makes for an entertaining job. What hat am I wearing today? Oh yes, fireman!!
Lyn.

Does anyone give their students (and/or staff) a safety induction talk or booklet? I am wanting to make up a student (and eventually teacher) Lab Safety induction including a booklet on basic safety and the reasoning behind it accompanied by a short talk/induction. One of my schools is very new and the students have not been exposed to the science lab very much as they have only just completed building them. The students behaviour is appaling. I always had this on the agenda but a teacher wants me to give a short talk to their class on safety on Monday (nothing like a bit of notice)

So does anyone have a sample to share? I know I could just do the basic mundane list of don'ts but these students need something a little bit more to make it sink in I think. (links to gory pictures would be appreciated as well )

You probably will find pictures here in chemtalk if you do a search. I can't remember the topic name but some-one supplied some photos of what could happen. They definitely were thought provoking.

Here's one photo I think I've added somewhere else on the site. I also have an old pair of jeans that I burnt with acid to show the kids just what it could do, a better idea is if you can get hold of an old school uniform (girls dress) for the little misses that think it's O.K to sit on Science Benches.

I haven't actually got these ones, just thinking of them. I think I might get really creative next term eg., Raben shoes with a cut in them from a scalpel with some fake blood on them, Op Shop wig then set fire to half of it. this could be fun

Hope that helps

I am sorry I can not change the subject name, I know I know, I just can not. I do not have admin rights.