Australia's Science Forum

After months of searching, we have a very limited supply of black lace up comfy shoes here. I eventually bought ROC shoes from Mathers, they come with their own inner soles for different widths of feet, are leather and very comfortable, and look smart, they cost about $80. They have a bit of a heel ...

We use the stuhl plastic bottles here and the glass amber/clear dropper bottles for any chemicals not suited to plastic stuhl bottles. The droppers can leak sometimes but I ask the teachers to let me know if they have problems, and you can buy replacement caps pkt 10 for around $5.00 from Serrata. I...

I am wondering if any labbies in North Queensland know of any Microscope repair/servicing technicians in our area? We are trying to set up some inservice workshops and one of the possibilities suggested was the microscope repair/servicing. Another topic suggested was a data logging workshop, has any...

I have to prepare a prac to test for alkanes and alkenes. This asks for bromine dissolved in trichloroethane. Does bromine water work the same for the tests as I have some of that in stock. Any hints and help would be appreciated.

Thanks

We tried making ginger beer a couple of years ago, sounded easy and delicious BUT the whole lot exploded! 8O It completely shredded the plastic containers and showered the prep room/store room including the ceiling with sticky ginger liquid. Took me days to clean up. The recipe says leave in a cool ...

We have a prac request form (24hours notice) here with all the info I could need, I have attached a copy if that is of any use. I will accept email requests also. I ask the Academic Co-ordinator for the term planner so that I have some idea of what topics will be covered and I attend Science Dept me...

I have a tub of gas lighters (just the cheap ones about $8 each) with one lighter per lab bench. These are kept under the teacher bench at the front of the lab. The teacher hands them out and collects at the end of the prac., I have not had trouble with any going missing. The darlings some times wil...

Does anyone have a list of endo and exo reactions suitable for junior science?
Thanks

Probably should add reactions that work and do produce a temp change that is reasonably obvious!!

The practical in the text I have stated 6% but I found we had some skin irritation with students from this. It is the only chemical I have come across to do this in any practical I have set up. I tried with 3% and it worked just as well with less risk, particularly for junior classes. If using highe...

Hiya, Biol. teacher has requested dna extraction from cheek cells, he saw it done at a conference. The DNA was given to the students as a vial they could wear as a necklace or something like that. Anyway has anyone heard of this, We have done DNA extraction from onion cells before, is there any diff...

Hi, I am looking at purchasing some kind of variable resistor set up/rheostat/potentiometer for senior physics. We have a slide type one which is ancient. Can anyone recommend what to buy especially as I am a bit confused with the catalogues, they seem to cover different resistances, and there are d...

Hi, Before I start with the seed raising of Barley and Tomatoes with senior biology I was wondering if anyone has any hints on growing, especially what seed raising mix and containers etc to use. I don't want to go buy stuff if there is a cheaper (or free) alternative or sustitute. Welcome back to 2...

Could someone who posted originally on this topic please let me have the recipes for the choc fossils and lolly rocks. We have been studying earth science in Year 9 and as it is nearing the end of year we would like to do some "Fun Science" with the students.
Thanks

Wow thanks rainbow sky =D> , I will attempt to construct the "incubator", will be a lot cheaper than buying one for the small amount it would get used at the moment. I knew someone would be come up with ideas, how you ever thought of it, you are a marvel. It gets quite hot here in Mount Is...

Do you have a recipe for this? If so I would love to have it.

Yes that happened to me one holidays, only we had a huge storm and the power tripped out at the power board. I can sympathise about the smell!! :-( In the end we had to get a new freezer, just could not get the smell out, luckily we were able to claim this on insurance. Good luck with the cleaning!

We don't have an incubator at school here. I was wondering how other people go about incubating agar plates etc.? Most pracs seem to ask for incubation at 37 degrees. Does any one have success with growth on plates just left out at room temperature? Is there a cheaper alternative to buying an incuba...

We used to have a lot of fun here with the old head of science, when she would dissect rats she made the students name them and would have fun making them dance and talk. She then would take one and make it wave through the window to any other classes in the labs at the time. The new head is'nt half...

I have re read the posts so far for crystal growing. I have some chrome alum here (chromic potassium sulfate), it is a purple colour. I was wondering if anyone has used this for crystal growing and what result you got.
Thanks
Pilar

At our College each department has its own budget. I do all the ordering for the science department even the teacher resources. The head of dept. signs the order form, and orders over $500 have to be co-signed by the principal. It is up to us how we manage our budget, I could'nt imagine anyone even ...