CBE SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL SCIENCE TECHNICIANS MEETING
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Central Memorial High School, Staffroom, Room 205
CHAIRPERSON:Dawn Martin
RECORDER:Cheryl Waye
A toast was given to Mary Shelford in honour of her 15 years work as Science technician for the CBE and towards a wonderful retirement.
1) MEETING WAS CALLED TO ORDER at 1:15 PM
Present:Maureen SimonChinook Learning Services
Nasreen MuhammadCentral Memorial
Cheryl WayeCrescent Heights
Rebecca MichaelsSir Winston Churchill
Jean ZollerCBE Science Curriculum Specialist
Scott JubinvilleLord Beaverbrook
Mary HorneSir Winston Churchill
Fred FuchsCBE Safety Advisory Services
Zia AwanLester B. Pearson
Karen WilliamsBowness
Marilyn McLachlan William Aberhart
Shraddha DholabhaiJ. G. Diefenbaker
Colleen BrentQueen Elizabeth
Kathy LepardCentennial
Mary ShelfordDr. E.P. Scarlett
Leigh EdmondsJames Fowler
Dawn MartinHenry Wisewood
Tai LeungErnest Manning/ Juno Beach Academy
Fred Fuchs and Jean Zoller were welcomed.
2) CONSIDERATION OF THE AGENDA: The agenda was accepted with amendments.
3) MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING held on Tuesday April 10, 2012 were accepted with the following changes
Colleen Brent had sent her regrets,
4 d) The licence for the Canadian version of Dr. Crisp’s risk assessment software program is $160.00 not $140.00
4 g) Jean had asked for information about Mr. Barry Morice
8 Maureen had been describing procedures for teachers at Masters Academy and College
4) POLICIES/ REGULATION/ SAFETY:
A Fred addressed the TDG questions that he had sent written responses to earlier in the week:
He still needs to address questions of disposal of thiocyanates, ferricyanides and ferricyanates. Chemists at EnviroSort will be getting back to him.
The formalin/ formaldehyde preserved tissues will be disposed of through EnviroSort starting in September. Place the preserved tissues back in the original pail with the holding fluid and state the contents of the fluid on the request for disposal form. When faxing the form, state on the cover sheet that there are tissues to be disposed of and he will send a truck soon. He recommends that we order preserved specimens in vacupaks. He realizes that this may be a more expensive option . He is leaving that decision to the school science departments in the schools.
Our contract is up with EnviroSort in November.
New schools should purchase rubberized or plastic cabinets for acids.(Seeattached .)
The Management of Hazardous Materials document will be revised in September. Fred is asking that any suggestions be sent to him so that the participants can review them.
B At 1:40 PM Jean Zoller spoke about the upcoming Risk Assessment of Labs and Demos Task Force meeting Friday May 18 at Henry Wisewood. Karen Williams, Rebecca Michaels and Dawn Martin, Theresa Michiel, Brian Eggleton, Nora Moughalian, Helen Mann, Chris McMechan and Rebecca McEvoy-Halston havingexpressed interest in participating in the task force. Jean will report back to us.
Jean asked for clarification of Dr. Crisp’s software. RiskAssess documents have been sent to schools. Colleen passed out copies of the material received at Queen E.
AlieuJawarawould like any gently used science ware that CBE is no longer using to take back to Africa. He will pay for the transportation.
Science Techs gave suggestions to Jean of dishwashers for Junior High Science labs - built in, not portable, straight tines and a basket in the door that holds stirring rods etc. is advantageous. Tines that fold down allow placement of baskets for test tubes. The Bosch has no heating coil outside and has better filtration if there is broken glass. Lowes gives a 10% discount plus another 10% discount if the colour choice is white.
The new CBE North West High School will open in the fall of 2013 or maybe earlier. Jean will be meeting with the new principal, Chris Meaden. Please send Jean any advice to set up the lab efficiently and effectively. Some suggestions were safety gas shut offs on the fume hoods and to be aware of the occupancy load when assigning classes to labrooms. Kathy Lepard suggested that much help should be offered to the tech for the original set up when all new equipment arrives in boxes. Kathy will forward the Centennial equipment list. Jean stated that the representative from Boreal had been informative. The techs suggested that she also look into other science supply companies.
Many techs have been ordering chemicals and equipment from New Horizons Scientific and asked Jean to advocate for anopen purchase order # for NH.
C. Mileage Claim Form/Insurance
Tai Leung asked about mileage claim of 50 cents per kilometer to travel from his morning to afternoon schools. Discussion followed suggesting that this would not be paid as these are two different jobs. However, mileage claims will be paid for travel to purchase items for the schools. This should be done during school time. Obtain the mileage by searching Google Maps , entering the school address, destination and return to school. Print this out and attach to the mileage claims form,found under CBE, Human Resources. Have it signed by your supervisor, take it to your business manager and receive the money on your next paycheck.
A question was asked about car insurance needed to transport students to activities. This is not recommended as the insurance needed is very high; however these forms are also on line through Human Resources.
Use CBE distribution services through interschool mail to send items of TDG between schools as it will increase insurance premiums otherwise.
5) EXPERIMENT PREPARATIONS
Albido Effect Lab for Bio 20 Nasreen Muhammad had a question about light and temperature probes for this experiment. Suggestions given:
- To avoid maxing of the sensor, raise the light source to 70 cm above the object. The object can be put on the floor, with the light source on the bench.
- Students shouldn’t be moving around as their shadows affect readings.
- Do not set up close to a window.
- Marilyn McLachlan uses Vernier probes 4 inches from the item and regular room fluorescent lighting.
Photosynthesis Lab: Mary Shelford will send the write up for a photosynthesis lab which worked well.
Gas Stoichiometry Lab (Nelson Investigation 7.4)
Kathy Lepard was concerned about the use of 6mol/L HCl. Shraddha suggested filling the bucket with water the previous day in order that it beequilibrated to room temperature. 6 mol/L HCl is acceptable and no gloves are needed.
Potassium Permanganate
Cheryl asked about saving potassium permanganate. It can be saved from semester to semester, but it
should be kept in a brown bottle that is as full as possible.
6) SUPPLIES/ EQUIPMENT/ CHEMICALS
Filter paper
For the stoichiometry precipitation lab using barium sulfate, the CBE Stores 6 micron pore size is too big. An alternative is Anchron 1.5 micron pore size, or use two Whatman 102 filters.
Vacuum Pump
Ross Mann told Marilyn McLachlan that protection is needed around the spinning belt. Daryle Hansenfrom Highfield designed a unit for her. Replacement oil can be purchased from Boreal for $20 /L. Ross has now taught her how to change the oil.
Spark Timer
Nazreen had purchased through Boreal over a year ago, and the warranty was expired. Boreal would not fix the spark timer. Ross Mann told her to contact the company SRP –the manufacturer- with the original order. They fixed the problem.
7) COMMUNICATIONS
Learning Leader Meeting: Karen Williams and Rebecca Michaels had attended the meeting and reported. There seemed to be a misunderstanding regarding the risk assessment of demos and labs. It seemed the LL’s understood that a binder of universal would be available as a result of the process. Karen and Rebecca spoke to them about the position description and received a favourable response;however with weak LL attendance they only asked the LL’s individually support the PD revision to their Principals.
Risk Assessment Task Force: After much discussion, there is hope that risk assessments of the high risk labs and demos will be put in place. This will involve extra time on our part
Audiology testing: Fred Fuchs will do a base hearing test with a follow up. Be sure to sign up according to his email.
STAS: There were no nominations for Directors from us.
The STAS Conference will be June 20 in Red Deer. There are only 7 people attending from Calgary so far. Staff Association will pay for the cost of attending. Remember to apply for funding two weeks before. Anyone wishing to attend should meet for carpooling at the south student parking lot of John Diefenbaker High School . 6620- 4thSt. NW.Meet at 6:45 am to be on the road by 7 am. Those going will arrange for which vehicle(s) will be used, etc…
Congratulations to EP Scarlett Teachers, Students and Mary Shelford: For the sixth year in a row EP Scarlett has had students in the North American Biology qualification for the Olympiad!
Assisting Junior High Schools: Branton Junior High had asked Marilyn at Aberhart if she could assist the school with organizing their chemicals and MSDS system. Marilyn emailed back to say that they were welcome to visit her lab to see how she organizes there.
8) KEEPING CURRENT/TRAINING
Rebecca hasresearched some interesting worldwide opportunities and has sent us various links for Australia, New Zealand and Malaysia.
Eyewash stations: The water in the main eye wash station was 10 degrees, which is unacceptable. It needs to be temperedto 16 to 32 degrees according to CBE Safe Work Practice for Eyewash station. Safety Services will probably be contacting all of us to add valves into eye stations to control the temperature. Rebecca Michaels spoke of portable eyewash stations which deliver 15 minutes at room temperature. Prolab sells one that can be used as a one piece which attaches to the wall or a two part with the bottom so it can be transported. Note that thehandheld bottles are only acceptable for immediate use until the student can be taken to a station which will deliver 15 minutes.
9) ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 3:45
The next meeting will be September 18, 2012 at 1 PM at Central Memorial High.
Chair – Cheryl Waye
Recorder –Maureen Simon