Australia's Science Forum

Hi there! I've always used Sonex glassware cleaner, but Q Stores no longer sell it. To buy it direct from the manufacturer is out of the question, as the cost is now prohibitive. I bought Detcon 95 last time but am very disappointed in it. It is a very sudsy product, requiring more rinsing. My glass...

Hi Robbie, I know you asked about disposal of agar plates using a microwave. I can't answer that, but you mentioned you have a pressure cooker. Using that, seal agar plates in an oven bag (yes, oven bag). Put them in the pressure cooker with about 2 - 3 cm water. I was taught to sterilise them for 4...

Hi Y'all, Have there been any updates to Appendix D regarding colour coding since the original was sent out to all schools in the original CSIS package? From the time it was created there have been chemicals used in schools that were not listed in App. D. Changes in pracs done have also introduced a...

My name tag states that I'm the Science Technician. I really don't mind what I'm classed as, but Laboratory Manager most DEFINITELY describes what I do!

Yup! The teachers do the teaching but they sure do seem happy to leave all the non-teaching management to me.

It works well!

Hi Robb, I, too, use an Excel spreadsheet that I designed for my use years ago (- years before the CSIS package ever came into being). On it is all sorts of info, such as when I last purchased; how much I get through each year (gives an indication of whether I've enough for another year); cost; whic...

Hi Geraldine, At an Inservice Course recently Kim Fenley demonstrated his electrophoresis kit and it was great, really great! Much cheaper than the kits available through the Science supply companies! It didn't look all that difficult to do either. If you haven't already contacted him about it, I th...

Hi Y'all! It's been interesting reading all the feedback on agar plates. I have some other ideas to add, which I've found very successful. I used to pour the sterilised agar solution into the sterile petri dishes too soon. This causes BIG problems with condensation on the lids. Not a good thing late...

Hi Y'all, I've just recently compared the prices of distilled water from the different Science suppliers. Then I rang Woolworths and asked them the cost of their demineralised water (is there a difference between distilled and demineralised water THAT MATTERS to us Science Tecchies?) and found they ...

Hi Kerry, I get the ChemWatch CDs each quarter. Here is their contact info from the latest envelope I've received from them. Hope it's what you're after. ChemWatch 70 Bambra Road CAULFIELD NORTH, VIC, 3161 email: chemwatch@<URL removed, see forum rules> website:www.<URL removed, see forum rules> Reg...