Australia's Science Forum

For Science Week we had our Year 11 Physics class (with teachers of course) make ice-cream using Liquid Nitrogen. Every day of the week had two different flavours and we sold out each day. It was a big hit!

Livingstone has them in their catalogue on page 173. All different sizes.

I was looking at the ASSIST website and came across the preparation of Agar. It says 20mins @121 degrees C, 15 p.s.i. or 103 kPa. The autoclave bags I use to kill the used plates state 121deg C on them. I used our old Namco pressure cooker for 20mins but I never saw a manual in the time I have been ...

On the South Coast, we get our Dry Ice from Tarrant's Service Centre, Bomaderry. They will be moving to South Nowra sometime in the future.

We have done similar pracs using the dettol, disinfectant, tea tree oil and bleach. All worked well. Today I have been asked if I can prepare plates infused with toothpaste. Some year 9 students want to see if different toothpastes inhibit bacteria growth, as part of their Scientifi Research Project...

Does anyone do a prac comparing the reactions of Sodium, Potassium and Lithium in water?
A new teacher here was surprised we didn't have the Potassium or Lithium....thought it was a common prac.

Sounds similar to a prac we recently did as a teacher demo, under the heading of metal reactivity. Substance will not conduct electricity in the solid state. If you go to this website you will see diagram and method..... http://www.nuffieldfoundation.org/print/3055 We did not use the rheostat nor am...

We use a little salicylic acid in metho. You can add some food colour also.

We place a transparent sheet (plastic sheet) on an overhead projector. Place some drops on the sheet and the metho evaporates with the heat from the projector. Class can see on screen the formation of crystals.

We don't have Calcium. We use Sodium instead (been there for at least 8 years). Only ever used as Sodium in water demonstration.

I was just asked by a teacher with a Yr7 student in tow if we could melt down some lead with a bunsen? If not, what metal could we melt down? (Apparently boy's father has equipment to make his own sinkers.)

Hi

We did a prac with sodium alginate and calcium chloride to make 'caviar'. What is the best method of disposing of this caviar? Garden? Rubbish bin? Drain?

Thanks
Rita

Hi
Our simple recipe:
600g Rice Crispies
250g Copha
2.4kg chocolate
4 pkt raspberries
2kg marshmallow
Some teachers vary with worms, cut snakes as another fossil to the raspberries.
Another teacher crushes a packet of plain biscuits.

We don't use nuts, coconut and in some classes no copha either.

We have always used transformers with year 7.

Rita

Hi All

Year 7 to do this prac. Using transformer and light to see difference in conduction in salt and sugar solutions.

Which electrodes would be best to use?

Thanks in advance
Rita

Not all Catholic schools in the Wollongong Diocese were informed of the changeover to FFX nor the change of username and password. There was also a glitch in the program. It took t-i-m-e to fix but all good now. Perhaps you have the same problems.

Is membership from January to January?

Thanks

Hi All I have been trying for at least a couple of weeks to get Borax at Woolies or Coles. Usually the Hoxex Borax...been around for years and years. Finally asked at Woolies when new stock would be available. They told me they have stopped stocking it, possibly because it may be too alkaline. ?????...

I have no idea what teacher is thinking of...will chase up.

I have eucalyptus oil and a lavender essential oil if it is for the classroom smell.

Thank you.

Hi All

I have received a prac request for yr 11 - teacher demo. It comes with the question
"Do we have a solution that has a pleasant smell for diffusion demo?"

Up to now I can't think of one.
Does anyone have an answer please?

Thanks
Rita

I didn't realise we had to keep RA's for 30 years!!!! As far as I knew our archives are for 7years. The RA's are on the back of our order request forms.