Australia's Science Forum

My favourite teacher :oops: has just asked for a prac which involves exploding flour to demonstrate surface area and rates of reaction. Has any one heard or done this and with what success and how dangerous is it???? I did have to point out that we could not take a bunsen burner outside the lab :? I...

Thanks Judy R for your gram staining recipe, it looks easy and not dangerous!, we will try this week.

Also thanks to Lisa for your slideshow, it certainly is gross but at the same time strangely entertaining and educational

Regards,
Pilar

Thanks Judy that would be great - fax is 07 47435013

Hi Lisa, If its not too late could I please have a copy of your slide show email is: pgregor@goodshepherd.catholic.edu.au. Also I am wondering if anyone knows what the protocol regarding growing bacteria is in Qld Schools, I have looked on Ed QLD site but can't find anything. Has anyone done gram st...

Hi,

Our Physics students are incorporating car crash investigations into their unit this term. I am wondering if anyone has come across a car crash simulation program that could be used, teacher is looking for something where they can change speeds, mass etc.

Thanks
Pilar

Hi Everyone,

Does anyone have any good sites for virtual dissections especially of Rats? that are free to use.

Thanks
Pilar

I am looking at alternatives to using saliva in an experiment (not sure if its a good thing for year 9's to be spitting everywhere! :yuck: ). I see in this thread that some of you do use amylase which I have in stock. How do I make this up and use to substitute for saliva. Help needed please :-) Pilar

Just heard from our community safety guy from fire services, he says that the cabinet should be vented ie. the hole in the side should be open. The cabinets are designed to prevent fire from going back into the cabinet and by venting this would also stop the build up of flammable vapour in the cabin...

I can sympathise with you Estelle, when I opened the cabinet the vapours made me feel dizzy and light headed, I am sure it is not good for the health. :-( I am still doing some investigation but as far as I can see the standard AS1940 2004 covers the storage of flammable goods, I think you have to &...

I buy pva 10% (tech) 5L solution from Serrata and the recipe is: 50ml PVA solution 10ml 4% borax food colouring We make up in plastic cups and use wooden stirring sticks to mix, the whole lot can be thrown away and makes enough for 2 students. The PVA is about $70 for the 5L, I have tried making the...

Thanks for all your comments so far, it obviously is a problem for many people. Sassi, I have no faith whatsoever in architects, in the original plans we had for refurbishment at our college he had acid storage cupboard above benches, at eye level :? . I have approval to get the cupboards vented but...

I think this topic has been discussed before, but anyway, Earlier in the week I opened the flammables cabinet, which is located in the prep room where I spend most of my day, anyway I received quite a blast of vapours. This is quite concerning, what I am wondering is whether this cabinet should be v...

Nickyw I too have the "Aspects of Science Management" I have often wondered if there is any updated version of this??, it was here in the prep room when I started 7 years ago so yes it is not really up to date :-| . Will go and see if I can convince the powers that be to purchase this DET ...

We are purchasing NewQscience Essentials which is a text for the new syllabus. We are starting with year 8 (and possibly year 9 if budget allows) next year. The publisher is Nelson Cengage Learning, go to http://www.nelsonsecondary.com.au, or email austcustomerservice@cengage.com. They will send boo...

Smiley, Yes you can do most of these as the growing tubes can be clamped in a retort stand or similar in any position, including upside down. The kits are just under $30 each for 10 growing tubes and equipment but can be used many times. You can buy the replenishment kits but I have found that I buy...

I am wondering if any other schools did not get the survey, we did not here in Mount Isa......but that is nothing new!!. I did alert my Principal, and he said he would pass on to me as he would have no idea how to fill out the survey. Might have to double check there but I am sure it would have been...

Yes we have just finished last term doing EEI's with senior students. They did their work/observations during their lab prac time, but then they have all their lessons in the lab so that was not too much of a problem. I was very involved in this and even though it was a lot of work, I enjoyed having...

After an incident last week where large quantities of cooking oil were poured down the sinks in the labs I have suggested we have a competition to design a poster with theme "Think before you put down the sink" we will have a prize of a gift voucher.

Some of our students wish to do the antiobiotic ring and disinfectant pracs. Not having done these before I have consulted past posts and have a fair idea of what we need to do. Just a couple of questions though. 1. Purchasing bacterial cultures, I have looked at Southern Biol and see they have &quo...

We have senior biology students doing EEIs this term, some of them are keen to use earth worms in their experimental procedures. Has anyone purchased earthworms for their science department, and if so where from, how do they travel freight wise, and how much are they? Any feedback would be most appr...