From: Kirk Hunter <kphunter**At_Symbol_Here**TSTC.EDU>
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] ACS and other resources on rainbow experiment and other demonstrations
Date: Thu, 18 May 2017 11:41:04 -0500
Reply-To: ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**PRINCETON.EDU>
Message-ID: CAADjF_8=5Nc+hoOatDeoDh=VmERoECfK1+XheA-jYweUUvGuFQ**At_Symbol_Here**mail.gmail.com
In-Reply-To <1109037139E1524980CF9CBEB2476618010AEF2AC9**At_Symbol_Here**UMF-EX10EMB1.umflint.edu>


All of this goes to one of my pet peeves - why do science educators think that they must do demos with flame, explosions, or the like?? I hear the excuses "We have to get the students excited about science!" My response as a polite Texan is "This is pure, unadulterated bull poop!"

I know - there are a plethora of videos out there on YouTube showing "backyard chemistry" demos where the people (usually kids) involved narrowly avoid disastrous injury and collapse in laughing fits and whoops. (One of the video links posted on another thread, showed viewers how to make a "flame thrower!" Good grief!!!) So, everyone who sees these videos, including teachers and demonstrators, think they have do it, too. In fact, they even promote the videos by saying they will tell you how to do it - and nearly every one of them has no precautionary statements nor use any safety equipment, not even safety glasses!

Personally, I would like to see these activities stopped completely in schools. However, I do think there are a few exceptions. One of which is if the activity demonstrates a principle that is DIRECTLY tied the lesson, if a video of that activity does not exist, and if the demonstrator fully knows the chemistry and properly prepares for the hazards and risks of doing the demonstration. These types of demos should be the exception - not the rule!

A charismatic, talented science teacher can excite students about chemistry and the world around us without endangering folks. I think back to my own childhood and my Dad (a physician who majored in chemistry as an undergraduate) who showed me the wondrous chemistry found in the kitchen and in our bodies. My high school chemistry and physics teachers showed us applications of chemistry around us in metallurgy and material science, petrochemicals, biochemistry, soil and water chemistry, and the list goes on. They NEVER used demos that go "Boom" or that flame. Being from behind the "Pine Curtain" in deep east Texas, we knew too well of the tragic accident at New London in 1937 where a methane leak ignited, blew up the school and killed nearly 300 students and teachers. (This is the reason malodorant is added to natural gas. New London is about 30 miles from where I grew up.) This accident was still too fresh and painful for many in my town who lost a relative or had a relative severely injured.

To echo Monique, "What do we do?"

My fear is that it is a losing battle. Science educators have to battle YouTube videos, the "JackAss" movies, theatrical/movie stunts, etc. They have to battle colleagues who are perceived by students to be "cool" because they do these demos. They have to battle to attract students to their programs. Where does it end?

Students, educators and others will attempt to replicate whatever they see, either in person or on videos, and will not give one moment's consideration to the dangers or consequences. Many times they get away with it. When they don't, the injuries are dramatic and reported on the news.

I think all we can do is stay vigilant. If it's appropriate, grab the microphone and speak out on various news outlets. Get involved with our local schools and teachers.

My two cents. I'm stepping off my soapbox now....

Kirk


On Thu, May 18, 2017 at 10:02 AM, Wilhelm, Monique <mwilhelm**At_Symbol_Here**umflint.edu> wrote:
So, how do we more adequately reach all of these teachers and others who do not have enough training? What can WE do? Is there any way to reach out to national news outlets and get a piece done about this on occasion....like....say...now, after another major incident? Who has the authority to do this?

Monique Wilhelm
Laboratory Manager
Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry
University of Michigan - Flint


-----Original Message-----
From: ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety [mailto:DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**PRINCETON.EDU] On Behalf Of McGrath Edward J
Sent: Thursday, May 18, 2017 10:35 AM
To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**PRINCETON.EDU
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] ACS and other resources on rainbow experiment and other demonstrations

Hi Ralph:

Thank you for including the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) safety alert (which followed the October 30, 2015 incident in Fairfax, VA). The Safety Advisory Board of NSTA also recently updated its paper "Safer Handling of Alcohol in the Laboratory" on its website. Please share http://www.nsta.org/safety/alcohol.aspx with every teacher of science you know.

This incident highlights the ongoing battle we in the K-12 science arena fight daily. Too many people believe the following myths (and the current incident is the result):

1) "Any teacher can teach science with minimal training"

2) "Any adult can teach elementary science with minimal training"

3) "Safety culture is an add-on to science instruction. The main point is the content. Safety isn't "really" part of that."

4) "If you teach science, you MUST have received safety training ahead of time."

5) (this is the most insidious): "Science is about blowing things up."



Ok, I've been staring at this email for a half hour, and I'm really not sure how to conclude it. We have so much work to do, and fewer resources to do it with.

Bottom line, this kind of crap (laboratory injuries caused by failing to provide Duty of Care) must not happen again. They should never have happened this time (or any other time before). We KNOW better.



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 parents. We borrowed it from our children.

-----Original Message-----
From: ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety [mailto:DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**PRINCETON.EDU] On Behalf Of Secretary, ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety
Sent: Thursday, May 18, 2017 9:41 AM
To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**PRINCETON.EDU
Subject: [DCHAS-L] ACS and other resources on rainbow experiment and other demonstrations

As might be expected, ACS headquarters has received several media inquiries about the rainbow demonstration this week. To support members who might receive inquiries from local media, I thought I would provide a list of some of the key ACS and other resources that provide guidance for safe chemistry demonstrations in general and the rainbow demonstration in particular.

Let me know if you have any questions about this.

- Ralph

Safety Alert: The Rainbow Demonstration
https://www.acs.org/content/acs/en/about/governance/committees/chemicalsafety/safety-alert-rainbow-demonstration.html

NSTA issued its own alert which relies heavily on the ACS statement:
http://www.nsta.org/safety/flametests.aspx

The Chemical Safety Board (CSB) produced a dramatic video showing consequences of the methanol-related experiments:
http://www.csb.gov/videos/after-the-rainbow/

C&EN Safety Blog K-12 list of educational school museum likely alcohol fire incidents https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1cp4xM5iyPIDekvnaDM3DRTQs1gKxDj6aYQ1JaSTFWsU/edit?usp=sharing

DCHED Safety Guidelines for Chemical Demonstrations http://www.divched.org/committee/safety

Safety Data Sheets: Information that Could Save Your Life https://www.acs.org/content/acs/en/education/resources/highschool/chemmatters/past-issues/2015-2016/december-2015/safety-data-sheets.html

Safe Transportation Recommendations for Chemicals Used in Demonstrations or Educational Activities
https://www.acs.org/content/dam/acsorg/about/governance/committees/chemicalsafety/safetypractices/transporting-chemicals.pdf?_ga=2.218685529.1721778870.1495114376-1892501655.1494673836

Five Key Questions for Safe Research and Demos https://inchemistry.acs.org/content/inchemistry/en/college-life/five-key-questions-for-safe-research-and-demos.html

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--
Kirk Hunter
Department Chair
Chemical/Environment Laboratory Technology and
Pharmacy Technician Program
Texas State Technical College
3801 Campus Drive
Waco, Texas 76705
(254) 867-4859 (o)
email: kirk.hunter**At_Symbol_Here**tstc.edu


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