Australia's Science Forum

I tried gas lighters for awhile, bigger than a cigarette lighter and have a trigger in the handle to ignite a small flame at the end of it. I knew the gas would run out soon, but the idea was to use them as a spark that would light the gas. That worked really well until some "bright spark"...

Hi, I've (hopefully) attached the procedure we have used. It comes from "Flinn Scientific" website.
We only ever did it as a demonstration due to 30% hydrogen peroxide being used which is pretty nasty stuff.
It always worked and impressed the kids.
cheers
jen

Our year 9's and 10's use scalpels.

Just remember to have plenty of bandaids ready!!

Snoopy, the same thing happened to me! What a disgusting mess! I have a very old microwave that only has "reheat" and "defrost" settings. I think someone mentioned earlier to use a low setting, which must be between my two settings.

Thanks for the info on the popcorn mythbusters Kirsten. We came to the conclusion that they must have rigged it and all were very thankful that it didnt work. Anyway, it made an interesting morning tea.

Get hold of some uv beads that change colour in uv light and have them nearby.

hi joy, If I am in doubt as to the safety of the prac and cannot find something that says "this is banned in schools" or "must be done in fume hood" then I go to the head of science voice my concerns and ask his opinion. I figure if he says it's ok then it's on his head if someth...

Hi Maureen, Love the idea of sealing with plasticene, the grease I have been using is pretty mucky. There is also another thread on this topic that gives some good ideas on using the bell jar, I recommend everyone revisit it. I borrowed a metronome from the music teacher and this works wonderfully, ...

Thanks Ocker,
special thanks for the tip about suspending the bell
Cheers
jen

Hi All, I have purchased a pump to use with my bell jar to demonstate how sound cannot exist in a vacuum. Can someone please tell me if it is okay to run the pump at maximum for prolonged periods of time? Is there any possibility that items in the vacuum can be damaged while in the vacuum and/or whe...

Hibiscus! They are big and if its the right time of year, plentiful on a decent sized tree. I raid my neighbours tree for them (with their permission of course)

Hi Bindi, I got some eggs from lada last term (we were talking privately after that so it didnt appear in this thread that lada had sent me some). Now that I am back from holidays I have set up the tank and put out 5 eggs, sprayed them with water, and now are soooooooooooooo impatient for them to ha...

hi lyn, the funnel is held just below the bunsen burner, probably about a foot away. The teacher just held it in her hand and puffed into the tubing which was about 1m long. We did it inside and had the kids stand well back. It did make a bit of a mess with some custard powder going on the bench. Th...

We have used custard powder, a spoon full in a funnel attached to a long piece of tubing and give one big puff of air down the tubing and the result is a big fireball over the bunsen. The kids love it but we dont tell them it's custard powder, could you imagine the mess they would make at home blowi...

Gee, and coke has such a bad reputation, never knew lemonade was as fierce!

Hi all, We do not have any fixed eye wash taps (nor shower) and really find the little eyewash bottles ineffective. So, I am trying to get together some info on what types people have and any problems they may have experienced. Also any positive comments would be appreciated too! I have been looking...

I have just spent a weekend in Busselton (lovely spot on geograph bay, south of perth) with the school staff. As well as having a great time socially :party: :drunk: :, I actually got a lot out of the pd that was conducted. A fair bit concentrated on improving literacy so I have come back with lots ...

True, Ocker, once the pop sticks catch on fire they burn yellow, but we encourage the students to wave the pop sticks up and down in the flame and then they can see the colour easily. It's not a perfect method but we just dont trust the kids with spray bottles, we know they will be spraying each oth...

Hi dolphinscales
I have a a saturated solution of each and keep them only for soaking pop sticks in for flame tests.
Havent tried match sticks, I would think that popsticks would be a bit easier.
Cheers
Jen
PS are you going to the regional meeting on thursday? If so see you there

yeah, pricy and not big enough for 30 kids to get around and see it properley, so it generally stays in it's box on the top shelf