From: "Alnajjar, Mikhail S" <ms.alnajjar**At_Symbol_Here**PNNL.GOV>
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] Liquid methane experiment in class
Date: Thu, 9 Apr 2015 16:13:11 +0000
Reply-To: DCHAS-L <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**MED.CORNELL.EDU>
Message-ID: 67518ED493A5794FB21A7CA33CD03C7A1A145FB6**At_Symbol_Here**EX10MBOX03.pnnl.gov
In-Reply-To <5117517A15F08343A243D1DEFBE6BE4CC3A6E9E8**At_Symbol_Here**RCIT-EX2.redclay.k12.de.us>


Agree.  This video really need not be advertised and promoted as science experiment.

 

Mikhail

 

From: DCHAS-L Discussion List [mailto:dchas-l**At_Symbol_Here**MED.CORNELL.EDU]On Behalf Of McGrath Edward J
Sent: Thursday, April 09, 2015 8:47 AM
To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**MED.CORNELL.EDU
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] Liquid methane experiment in class

 

For what it’s worth, I did submit my feelings (listed below) under “feedback.” 

 

Re: “liquid methane experiment in class:  This kind of footage shows extreme irresponsibility on the part of the teacher.  There have been many documented cases of injuries, some quite serious, from burns sustained during science demonstrations.  This teacher is using an extremely flammable substance (methanol) with no protection afforded to the students.  I am requesting that you remove this video, as it has the potential to entice novice science teachers and students to replicate this hazardous demonstration.  MSN has a reputation for posting informative and entertaining material (which is why I continue to use your website) and I feel this video does not reflect your usual standard.  Thank you.

 

They don’t provide much room for a proper response.  This kind of video is a major concern of mine in our district.  We have enough young teachers who think this is an appropriate demonstration, and if this teacher was in our district and this got posted, I would initiate disciplinary action.  Furthermore, I’m reasonably certain the substance was methanol and not liquid methane.  Once again, the science community has to clean up the mess made by the media!

 

Eddie McGrath

 

Edward J. McGrath

Supervisor of Science

Red Clay Consolidated School District

1502 Spruce Avenue

Wilmington DE  19805

 

(302) 552-3768

 

We did not inherit the Earth from our ancestors.  We borrowed it from our children.

 

 

From: DCHAS-L Discussion List [mailto:dchas-l**At_Symbol_Here**MED.CORNELL.EDU]On Behalf Of Margaret Rakas
Sent: Thursday, April 09, 2015 10:29 AM
To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**MED.CORNELL.EDU
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] Liquid methane experiment in class

 

I just saw this, and I am totally aghast!

 

Perhaps someone (president?  board of directors? ) from DCHAS and/or the ACS should contact MSN to 1) update them on the various flaming tragedies that have recently happened during 'safe' demos; 2) ask them to pull the video.  It's one thing when it's on YouTube, quite another when it is being 'hosted' by what I would normally consider a reputable news source.

 

Are the safety folks the only ones who can use google for finding "high school chemistry lab accidents articles"?  I swear everyone else must be using it for sports scores, following the Kardashians, etc 

 

On Thu, Apr 9, 2015 at 10:18 AM, Secretary, ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety <secretary**At_Symbol_Here**dchas.org> wrote:

I think DCHAS members may want to be aware of this in case they have people who like to emulate Internet videos in the organization...

http://www.msn.com/en-us/video/wonder/liquid-methane-experiment-in-class/vi-AAaBJYz

This teacher leaves his students treating the floor like lava while leaving them in awe and he shows them what a little bit of liquid methane will do when lit on fire and poured onto the floor. Perhaps there's an opportunity to develop a Job Hazard Analysis of this demonstration...

- Ralph

Ralph Stuart
secretary**At_Symbol_Here**dchas.org
Secretary
Division of Chemical Health and Safety
American Chemical Society



 

--

Margaret A. Rakas, Ph.D.
Manager, Inventory & Regulatory Affairs
Clark Science Center
413-585-3877 (p)

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