Australia's Science Forum

We have "heat mats" built into our work benches. We find that this works really well.
Cheers Kath

Hi Lorrae
I am pretty sure you will be able to purchase Ammonium Nitrate from Chem-Supply. Their pack sizes range from 500g to 25kg so you should get the size you require.
Hope this helps
Kath

You are quiet right Kristen,
Haines have Hookes Law Apparatus
Complete kit, Cat No HL001
I have an old catalogue, and the price is $59.00. You may pay a little more than that now.
Hope this helps
Cheers Kath

In my opinion Nicky, just toss it. It would cost more in your time to fix it, than it would cost to buy a new slide.
Cheers Kath.

Hi Anastasia, My teachers give me at least 24 hours notice. (most of the time) Therefore I am able to work one day ahead which is great. My teachers are very obliging and this system works well for all concerned. ie: The teachers receive a well prepared practical lesson because I am not rushed and I...

Ditto M,
Southern Biological Services Pty. Ltd.
PO Box 57
Nunawading
(03)9877 4597
Cheers Kath

Hello Kathryn,
I also store test tubes in a rack. One large set and one small set in each student bench. After each prac the students are required to wash dirty test tubes and place then back in their bench ready for the next class.
Cheers
Kath

Hello Rob,
I am with Helen. I also purchase Nutrient Broth Powder from Science Supply. Very quick, very easy, works well.
Cheers Kath.

Hello Lee,

Yes, they are very fragile. Expensive little numbers also. Silicon is the go for sure.

Cheers Kath

Hello M,
Do the rats have to be frozen?

We use preserved rats and they seem to work very well.
Also, if you don't use them all you can simply store them till you need them again.

We get our supplies from:

Southern Biological Pty. Ltd.
PO box 57
Nunawading

Phone (03) 9877 4597

Cheers Kath

Hi Justin, My Iodine solution is as follows: 3g iodine 15g potassium iodide 1 litre distilled water Dissolve potassium iodide in approx. 800ml of the distilled water and then add the iodine. Make up to 1 litre with distilled water. NOTE Make 24 hours before required, as iodine is slow to dissolve. H...

Thanks Steph,
Only have a couple of posts to go.
Have a good day
Cheers Kath

Can somebody please explain why some of us on this site are referred to as:
lab assistants, some are lab attendants, some lab technicians and others, lab managers? Excuse my ignorance but how do I change my title?
Kath

//EDITED by adam. Reason: make topic title more descriptive

Hi Robb,
To do a chemical inventory for the Science Dept. will only take me a couple of days. But, I have done an inventory for the whole school and that took about 3 months.
I did it all on Chemwatch. But for my own use in the Science Dept I use a spreadsheet. I find it much easier
Cheers Kath

Thanks Robyn,
Must get an updatad catalogue.
Kath

Hi Tracy,
Methanol is available from Q Stores. Cat No. 812941. $14.12 for a 500ml bottle.or Cat No 204398. $111.21 for a 20litre drum. Could be a little more expensive now. I only have the 2005 catalogue.
Hope this helps.
Cheers Kath

Hi Kathryn. I totally agree with you. It seems to me that most MSDS's are geared more to industry than to schools.
Regards Kath.

Hi Sam, Sodium metal must be stored under liquid paraffin or kerosene to prevent the reaction of sodium with oxygen or water vapour. Lithium floats on paraffin oil. When you return a piece of Lithium to the storage container you should shake the container to make sure that it is re-coated with the o...

Hi Diane,
You will find a list of Chemicals which are banned from government schools in Appendix H in the Chemical Safety in Schools manual.
Hope this helps
Kath

I have been a laboratory worker for over 40 years. In that time I have worked in the public system, a University and at the moment in a private school. I started at a very tender age as a Laboratory Attendant. I progressed to Laboratory Assistant, onto Laboratory Technician then onto Laboratory Mana...