Australia's Science Forum

Hi

What do people use to test gases - hydrogen / oxygen etc? Do use use proper taper / wood splints or do you use popsticks or skewers?

Does anyone know where I can purchase proper wood splints to use as tapers?

We use paddle pop sticks

We use Paddlepop sticks too!!

Some teachers here like to split paddle pop sticks, others prefer skewers. If they want skewers, I cut the sharp point off with secateurs.

I've been here 15 years using both paddle pop stick and skewers but we have a new Science co-ordinator who came in from Ireland, and she thinks these 'simple' devices are not suitable.

What is a proper wood splint then?? Shaped differently? Longer? All serves the same purpose?

She showed me on a uk website of science supplies for education...looks like skewer length bits of wood to me.....comes in a pack of about 1000.

Gave her pop sticks today and told her to get used to what we do in Australia.

I just know she's going to send off to the UK for a bundle of sticks, because Aussie sticks are not good enough.

That is so ridiculous. We used to use tapers which dripped wax everywhere, then big matches now we use skewers. I am interested in what UK wood is made of!