<body><script type="text/javascript"> function setAttributeOnload(object, attribute, val) { if(window.addEventListener) { window.addEventListener('load', function(){ object[attribute] = val; }, false); } else { window.attachEvent('onload', function(){ object[attribute] = val; }); } } </script> <div id="navbar-iframe-container"></div> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://apis.google.com/js/platform.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript"> gapi.load("gapi.iframes:gapi.iframes.style.bubble", function() { if (gapi.iframes && gapi.iframes.getContext) { gapi.iframes.getContext().openChild({ url: 'https://www.blogger.com/navbar.g?targetBlogID\x3d35265642\x26blogName\x3dTessaWatson.com\x26publishMode\x3dPUBLISH_MODE_BLOGSPOT\x26navbarType\x3dSILVER\x26layoutType\x3dCLASSIC\x26searchRoot\x3dhttps://tesswatson.blogspot.com/search\x26blogLocale\x3den_GB\x26v\x3d2\x26homepageUrl\x3dhttp://tesswatson.blogspot.com/\x26vt\x3d-1989020793995433422', where: document.getElementById("navbar-iframe-container"), id: "navbar-iframe" }); } }); </script>

Thursday, October 05, 2006

Smoking Demo: No More?


Many of the SQA Biology courses cover the topic of respiration. Under the Respiration umbrella is the subtopic of ‘Smoking and its effects’. For years the standard effects of smoking could be demonstrated using the 'Smoking Machine' or 'Smokey Sue'. Due to the Laws on ‘Smoking in Public Places’ that were enforced earlier in the year, SSERC have decided to ban this demonstration.
Position Statement On The Use Of Smoking Machines In Schools.
I can see why they might ban the experiment indoors, but what about the use of a fume cupboard? Or demonstrating it outdoors,

'Light winds may cause smoke to drift and be inhaled by observers'

Personally I feel that pupils will benefit immensely by seeing the effect of what just one cigarette can do, even if they are exposed to part of the cigarette fume. Some councils also have a ‘No Smoking on Council Grounds’ policy so even if it were legal outdoors, where would you demonstrate it? The road? All in all I guess that will be the end of the demonstration, rules are rules.
On the brighter side, Highland Council have produced a number of Podcasts for the Intermediate 1 Biology course. One podcast is the Smoking Demonstration. It is not as good as the real thing, but an excellent contender for second place.

Smoking Demonstration

2 Comments:

At Saturday, 14 October, 2006, Blogger David said...

What's the problem about using a fume cupboard? Do all schools have fume cupboards?

 
At Saturday, 14 October, 2006, Blogger Tess Watson said...

Yeah, but only Chemistry, not Biology or Physics, classrooms have fume cupboards. This ban is stupid. All a bit silly really- and Council Policy. I am hoping they reverse their desision.....Rock on 3000AD!!!!

 

Post a Comment

<< Home


Where I have been