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Q&A
Showing 201 - 240 of 253 results
Safety glasses and shared use
This question updates four previous questions on the topic: According to the GHS standards, what is the approved standard for eye protection in schools: safety glasses or safety goggles? If…
VIEW QUESTIONBiological preserved specimens
What are the rules for storing and/or disposing of biological preserved specimens?, Since Science ASSIST has received a number of questions, which all relate to this topic, we will cover…
VIEW QUESTIONStudent practical activities at home
Student practical activities at home: Can students take chemicals and equipment home to enable them to conduct practical activities/experiments in the home environment?
VIEW QUESTIONHome activities for students
Can you suggest some activities that are suitable to be conducted at home?
VIEW QUESTIONGrowing mould on bread
What are the recommendations, guidelines, and policies relating to students growing mould on food products such as bread?
VIEW QUESTIONUse of human body tissue and fluids
Is it ok to use human body tissue or fluids such as cheek cells or tears in science experiments in schools?
VIEW QUESTIONPurchasing and maintaining microscopes
Can you recommend school microscope suppliers, repairers and servicers in Australia? What are some strategies to maintain school microscopes in good working order? Such as, protocols for cleaning microscopes, disinfecting…
VIEW QUESTIONBiology activity observing skin cells
We have been asked to prepare the experiment for Yr 10 students to do- Observing Skin Cells - for observation under the microscope. Students take sticky tape and press it…
VIEW QUESTIONChemical waste disposal – from esterification activity
I would like to know how the waste generated from the Isopentyl Acetate esterification process should be disposed of? I have a fair bit of waste collected. Is there any…
VIEW QUESTIONHand sanitiser
Hand sanitisers have been more heavily used during and after the time of the COVID-19 pandemic. Some hand sanitisers state ‘Keep out of reach of children’. Does this mean that…
VIEW QUESTIONCOVID-19 and science activities
There is much conjecture about the need and safety of carrying out microbiology experiments in the school laboratory setting, especially in light of the recent pandemic caused by COVID-19. In…
VIEW QUESTIONDrying cabinet used as incubator
We have an old laboratory Drying Cabinet and a teacher was asking as to whether it can be used as an incubator to incubate inoculated agar plates.
VIEW QUESTIONReplacement of safety eyewear
Is there any specific guideline about how often safety glasses should be replaced? Assuming they are in good condition, is it safe to use them indefinitely, or should they be…
VIEW QUESTIONPregnancy and the school science workplace
I recently found out I am pregnant and just wanted to enquire as to whether there are any chemicals/experiments that (to your knowledge) I would need to avoid? From what…
VIEW QUESTIONMaking slime using borax
Is it ok to make slime in schools using borax? I have concerns about the health effects of borax.
VIEW QUESTIONChemical storage – barium nitrate
My container of barium nitrate looks like it has water inside. Is there a way that I can separate the water from the barium nitrate?
VIEW QUESTIONElectrical equipment testing and tagging
How often should we be testing and tagging electrical equipment in NSW schools according to WHS legislation? My school says that it should be every 6 months. Science laboratories in…
VIEW QUESTIONPotassium metal
Are we allowed to demonstrate potassium metal in schools? How do I deal with it if it has oxidised? I have just noticed that some of our potassium metal in…
VIEW QUESTIONstorage of luminol
I was wondering if anyone has Luminol at their school and where do you store it? I am bringing it in new to our school and was debating where was…
VIEW QUESTIONUniversal Indicator solution
Universal Indicator solution: I'm running out of universal Indicator solution, and I accidentally deleted my recipe, I was just wondering if I can get the recipe here, please?
VIEW QUESTIONElectronic balance storage
Electronic balance storage: G'day labtechs, teachers and ASSIST professionals. I currently use a tray-based racking system and tubs as my main/preferred storage method for our labs. I am yet to…
VIEW QUESTIONStudent handling of bones
I’m looking for information, regulations, requirements etc, about the handling of completely cleaned and treated bones by high school students to rebuild the skeleton of a dead animal which was…
VIEW QUESTIONDisinfecting laboratory benches
What chemical sprays/wipes/solutions am I allowed to use to disinfect laboratory benches after each class during COVID-19?
VIEW QUESTIONStorage of batteries
How do I store small batteries, including button cell batteries, safely?
VIEW QUESTIONHand sanitiser and chemical registers
What are the requirements for the listing of the hand sanitisers in each schools chemical register? I have had conversation with someone working at another school who has been instructed…
VIEW QUESTIONExploding plastic bottles
I would like to ask about the demonstration of HCl and Al within a plastic bottle which explodes when the level of hydrogen gas builds up. I don't believe it…
VIEW QUESTIONNOTICE New microbiology resources
NOTICE: A suite of updated microbiology SOPs are available for subscribers to download. These replace those from the GUIDELINES for best practice for microbiology in Australian schools.For more information go…
VIEW QUESTIONAlert regarding hydrogen balloon explosions
We recently had an accident with a hydrogen balloon catching fire and melting, rather than popping. Has anyone else had this and how do you prevent it happening again. Previously,…
VIEW QUESTIONWLNA and WLDA Agar plates
One of our Science teachers has asked for these specific agar plates that are used for culturing microorganisms associated with brewing and fermentation. He is going to use these agars…
VIEW QUESTIONThermite reaction
Last term we tried to run the thermite reaction, however I was unable to light the reaction mixture using either sparklers or magnesium ribbon. I assumed that this was unable…
VIEW QUESTIONNeodymium Magnets
In an upcoming physics unit for year 9 science, teachers would like to use neodymium magnets (rare earth) for a practical experiment. Are these magnets allowed to be used in…
VIEW QUESTIONGlass blowing
I have a teacher who wants students to do glass blowing. is this allowed in DET schools?
VIEW QUESTIONResponse to incident
NOTICE: Our heart goes out to the Manly West Public School community
VIEW QUESTIONChemical storage classification
Could you please advise as to which classification chemicals should be stored in chemical storerooms, either DG classification or GHS classification?
VIEW QUESTIONSpark proofing a fridge
How do I go about spark proofing a fridge for storage of hydrogen peroxide? Can a refrigerator not on ground floor be spark proofed?
VIEW QUESTIONStock whip use in schools
Good morning, we have had a request for the purchase of a stock whip for use by staff and students in our year 9 Sound unit. What are the safety…
VIEW QUESTIONNOTICE: Natural Disasters
Many states have been affected by bushfires, floods and storms and state regulators have health and safety information about what to do before, during and after a natural disaster. See…
VIEW QUESTIONAsbestos in BBQ gloves?
I bought some BBQ/Chef's gloves from a few suppliers last year to try them out. I got these ones from Amazon https://www.amazon.com.au/BBQ-Gorilla-Resistant-Barbecue-Anti-Slip/dp/B0... (cut and paste of the link should work)…
VIEW QUESTIONBunsen burners and ties
I just wanted to check how the situation looks at schools wearing ties as part of their uniform requirements. They have to wear ties at all times. If they do…
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