Hello Bob,
As an Ex-Fire Safety Trainer I have to say you nailed it. Thanks.
Regards,
jack
From: DCHAS-L Discussion
List [mailto:dchas-l**At_Symbol_Here**MED.CORNELL.EDU] On Behalf
Of ILPI
Sent: Wednesday, February 01, 2012 9:49 AM
To:
DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**MED.CORNELL.EDU
Subject:
Re: [DCHAS-L] FW: ACS Thursday
Well, personally, I've used pentane which works pretty well due to the low boiling point (36 C). But I would never let students do anything with fire, of course. That said, isopropanol/water works great for the burning $20 bill trick, especially when it's one you've taken from someone in the audience. The demo is good - but letting students play with fire in that manner is, of course, professionally derelict.
Alas, there are things like this out there...note the discussion of "Safety & Additional Information" that contains the very comprehensive instruction of "Don't get burned or set your house or yard on fire" : http://chemistry.about.com/od/funfireprojects/a/fireballs.htm
What this teacher is talking about leads to kids doing this on their own. Which leads to this:
or kids trying it with something else, like gasoline....
Obviously, try to dissuade this person based on the high risk, near-zero pedagogical content, and personal/professional liability.
And then tell her that if you ever hear of her even contemplating doing this with students again, that you'll contact the principal, superintendent, school board, fire marshal, and local media to make sure it stops. And that she ever has a student injured or killed as a direct or indirect result of this class activity that you will be first to testify for the prosecution/plaintiff against her.
Rob Toreki
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On Feb 1, 2012, at 10:56 AM, Friedman, Donna G. wrote:
I just received this e-mail message from a high school teacher, it is not a joke, I am going to respond but decided to wait a bit to include your (more thoughtful) comments.
Thanks,
Donna
Donna G. Friedman, Ph.D.
Chair, Department of Chemistry
St. Louis Community College at Florissant Valley
3400 Pershall Rd.
St. Louis, MO 63135
314-513-4388
Subject: FW: ACS Thursday
Hello fellow teachers!
I have a quick question. Not sure if I can make it on Thursday, so thought I had best send this e-mail. I normally have my students light their hands on fire with a mixture of isopropyl and water. (I test it first with a paper towel to make sure it doesn't burn.) My students have said there is a "cooler" way to light your hand on fire and that Burroughs, Wentzville, etc. all do this cooler way. We all know students don't always know the "real story", but is there a cooler (more exciting, brighter) way to light your hand on fire that is still safe?
Thanks! I would appreciate your help on this matter!!
Melanie
Melanie Shedd
Principia Upper School
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