This is a clip of a demo that I forgot to do on the third session of the 'So You Want to Be a Science Technician' course. Everyone in the world seems to hate it except me.

!!BEWARE be prepared to turn the volume down on you pc towards the end!!

Smoke Rings

Finally got time to try out the Smoke Rings demo today. Simon Quinell showed us this last year on the Technicians: Co-Leaders in Science course at the National Science Learning Centre. (See photo above) It means purchasing a smoke making machine as used for discos (about £39) and special oil and a black plastic garbage bin into the base of which you cut a 15cm diameter hole and the top of which you cover tautly with a plastic sheet. Fill the bin with smoke and pat the sheet to produce beautiful large smoke rings that will knock a polystyrene cup of the head of a target colleague. The trouble is what scientific principle is being demonstrated here?

Peace at last!

Today Year 13 left. Year 12 left on Tuesday until one week after half term that is the 1st June and Year 11 left last Friday. Bliss. I can catch up on the paper work, spring cleaning, annual audit and trying out new demos and pracs. But I'm owed so much time...

We all influence the progress of science....

Hear how Star Trek has influence scientific progress.... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=msICXbBC6Lg