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View postings from the STAO Blog.
Categories:
General Interest
In science, hands-on activities are always desirable, particularly when these are real time, actual experimentation, not just virtual simulations. This conflicts with our current reality: budget cuts; safety concerns in overcrowded classes; other demands on teacher... read more
Categories:
General Interest
This article provides some recommendations for: storing flammable liquids; the quantities to be kept in schools; the types of storage cabinets usable; and the need to vent those cabinets. Such venting would neither violate the Ontario Fire Code, nor compromise the ULC... read more
Categories:
General Interest
It is the responsibility of all those working in a laboratory to be aware of potential hazards and to prevent them from becoming accidents. However, whenever chemicals are in use, there is a danger of spillage. A well-organized science program will have available a... read more
Categories:
General Interest
A relatively large fraction of the Canadian population requires corrective lenses to obtain optimal vision. While many of these individuals choose to wear eyeglasses, an increasing number are being fitted with contact lenses. The recent technological advances in the... read more
Categories:
General Interest
The techniques of Science teaching have changed from lectures and demonstrations to those involving a significant amount of “hands on” activities. This is reflected in the new curriculum, which even mandates that certain experiments be carried out. As a... read more
Categories:
General Interest
Like many other technological developments of the twentieth century, the laser has moved rapidly from the scientific research laboratory to widespread use in everyday life. It is possible to design a laser for virtually any wavelength in the electromagnetic spectrum... read more
Categories:
General Interest
Safety must be foremost in the minds of every presenter at STAO/APSO sponsored events. Every person who does demonstrations should be knowledgeable about the safe handling and disposal of all chemicals and the safe use of all demonstration equipment. Demonstrators... read more
Categories:
General Interest
A summary of the STAO Safety Committee’s beliefs about safety in the science classroom. read more
Categories:
General Interest
Taste experiments are normally run to test for the four kinds of taste receptors in the tongue. Students should be directed to run this experiment as a class in the school cafeteria, or BETTER, at home, using the following household chemicals: dilute table salt... read more
Categories:
Lab/Student Activity, Lesson Plan
This is a series of safety activities incorporating the new WHMIS symbols. There is a matching activity, a stations activity and a quiz. It is targeted to grades 9 and 10 but could be used at any grade... read more