CBE SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL LABORATORY
TECHNOLOGIST’S MEETING
Tuesday December 13th , 2005 – 1:00pm
Sir Winston Churchill High School Library
5220 Northland Drive N.W.
Present:
Pat Kaiserseder, Marzena Curyk, Shraddha Dholabhai, Kathy Lepard, Tai Leung,
Helen Li, Dawn Martin, Rebecca Michaels, Theresa Michiel, Nasreen Muhammad,
Dianne Shellborn, Mary Shelford, Hanna Svelka, Karen Williams, Michelle Prescott
(Pat’s secretary)
Absent with regrets:
Kathleen Grebneff, Steve McMannis, Pat Visser
Pat welcomed Michelle, who is a secretary at Curriculum Support, to our Christmas
lunch. Thanks to Michelle for organizing the delivery of the main dish entrees.
Everyone brought wonderful side dishes and desserts, and enjoyed the pre-meeting
Christmas celebration. Thanks to Hanna for the festive table decorations.
1. The agenda was considered and accepted.
An additional item was added.
Kathy – WCB Audit
The minutes of the last meeting on November 1st , 2005 had two corrections:
a. Addition of Kathy to “Present at Meeting”
b. Item 12, the correct name spelling is “Sue Wenaas”
2. Rebecca Michaels
a. Science Council Conference Report – Rebecca, Theresa and Marzena
attended the ATA Science Council Conference in Edmonton on
November 11-13, 2005. They assisted at the STAS information table
about the work of Science Technologists in Alberta High Schools.
Edmonton technicians prepared materials and set the table up. The
understanding is that when the Science Council Conference is in Banff or
southern Alberta that the Calgary techs will be responsible for the table.
Brochures were handed out. A sample brochure was given to everyone
attending the meeting. Teachers, particularly those from rural, private
and charter schools were interested in obtaining more information.
Rebecca and Theresa presented a session on ‘Chemical Waste
Disposal.’ Some basic questions were asked and some participants had
little knowledge of WHIMIS. Some present had no understanding of
handling chemicals and disposal, but knew not to “dump down the sink.”
This emphasizes the need for science safety assistance, particularly in
rural areas and Northern Alberta. Contact names, mainly from
Edmonton, were handed out to help schools who were eager for trained
technologists to visit.
Rebecca gave a talk on ‘Safety Equipment and Supplies.’ Fisher and
McGraw-Hill were generous in providing several door prizes. Fisher sells
a product called ‘Hydeaway,’ which neutralizes formaldehyde. The
holding solution for our preserved specimens needs to be neutralized.
The solid ‘Hydeaway acrylamide gel pellets’ swell and make a solid. This
solid waste can go in the trash bin. The Spill-X for organics is not
specific for formaldehyde.
Rebecca’s presentation is on the STAS website, as are new links to fume
hood testing and latex glove allergies. Theresa’s PowerPoint
presentation will go on the website at a later date.
b. Information from the Conference
i. CCS Educational Inc. sells ‘School cell’ rechargeable alkaline
batteries. Rebecca handed out information sheets. A bulk order
is possible to get a good deal. Science and Math use boxes of
batteries for calculators and other equipment.
Contact Information:
CCS Educational Inc. (West)
Ralph D. Dickau
18931 – 92 Avenue Edmonton, AB T5T 5R1
Business: (780) 444-7330
Fax: (780) 444-7343
Email: rdickau@compusmart.ab.ca
Toll free: 1-866-344-7330
ii. There will be a project component introduced to the new Science
30 course. There will be project suggestions from which to chose,
one which is being considered is ‘Biodiesel for the Future’ (fuel
from vegetable oil).
iii. ‘Toxicology’ an Alberta Environment Educators Resource Guide
is available from Alberta Environment. It looks at various aspects
of toxicology and parts may be applicable to the forensics course.
iv. The principals of selected trial schools will be receiving in
September 2006, a binder from Occupational Health and Safety
titled “Work Safe.’ The CD included has all the OH&S
regulations. Please look out for it.
v. The Alberta Learning document ‘Safety in the Science Classroom’
will be published soon. A draft copy is on the website:
http://www.education.gov.ab.ca/k_12/curriculum/bySubject/scie
nce/screport.pdf. Important information is the addition of a
category D for chemicals ‘not allowed in school.’ Print off page
244 for a list of category D chemicals.
Please note powdered lead compounds and most powdered
metals are not allowed. The new textbooks being written will take
into account the new guidelines.
c. February Staff Association Convention – A science teacher who is also a
representative for ‘Carolina Biological Supply Company’ is based in Cold
Lake. She is available for workshops sponsored by Carolina. Rebecca
will see if she is available to present a ‘High School and AP Science’
workshop, during our convention dates on February 16-17, 2006. Expect
further news at our January meeting when the agenda will be finalized.
We will be officially meeting at Lester B. Pearson for a Professional
Development day. A new company has replaced Merlan as the supplier
of Carolina products: Isaac Technologies Corporation.
Contact Information:
Tony Mao
Isaac Technologies Corporation
5420 Outer Drive
Windsor, ON N94 6J3
Telephone: 1-877-933-7833
Fax: (519) 737-7901
E-mail: info@isaactech.com
d. Meeting with Jean Minifie Report – Rebecca and Mary saw Jean Minifie,
Chairperson of CBE Staff Association to discuss issues specific to our
job. Jean met with Glenn Swanson of CBE Human Resources and
shared with him the information on:
i. The need for area tech positions to be created, CD presentation.
ii. A job classification change to represent the level of expertise
needed to perform our jobs.
iii. All schools starting the position at 1.0 FTE, with increased time for
larger schools.
This is the start of a slow process. The recognition of the current FTE for
our individual schools is an item in our contract negotiations. This is
important as some principals are still understaffing the position causing
undue stress for technologists.
Also, Jean was made aware of the screening interview done by Staffing,
involving medical laboratory questions to do with patient confidentiality
and drawing blood. Staffing is now outsourced to Telus who employ the
original CBE staff. Telus also has the contract for the CRHA, so Jean
will see if the school science laboratory technologist is being confused
with the medical laboratory technician.
3. Marzena Curyk
a. Bacteria allowed in schools – Marzena requested information on how to
handle and dispose of bacteria that is allowed in High Schools. Her school
teaches the IB Program and the teachers request specific cultures. Pat
replied that any teacher who makes a request outside the Alberta
Curriculum, which includes the IB and AP programs, must do all the
research themselves and demonstrate the precautions to be taken and
correct disposal. It is solely the teachers’ responsibility. A discussion
followed in using bacteria in schools. Any bacteria sent to schools from a
supplier is safe. We do not use culture medium that will grow pathogens.
The petri dishes must be taped closed and never opened. Double bag petri
dishes and place in the garbage. The CBE Safety Document has
information on bacteria in schools on page15. The Alberta Learning
Document is now available to use as a resource. It was suggested that a
session on bacteria be presented at our STAS meeting in Red Deer (or at
the convention if the Carolina lady cannot attend).
4. Kathy Lepard
a. PVA bags and where to obtain them – Kathy has found a supplier of PVA
bags for the slime lab.
Contact Information:
Medical Mart (a small company)
Phone Jim: (403) 608-8275
Large bag: (39" x 36") $138 for 100
Small bag: $93.65 for 100
Free Shipping
Powdered/liquid PVA is a potential carcinogen and it was suggested that
the MSDS be put out with the lab. The MSDS from Northwest is now out
of date and the new one is available at:
http://www.anachemia.com/msds/english/7548.pdf
It was decided that if slime is made it might be prudent if it be disposed of
in the garbage before the students leave the lab. There is still
educational value in making slime as the students have made a polymer.
However, it was decided PVA bags would not be added to the CBE
stores just in case schools decided to postpone slime making until more
research was done on its possible hazards.
b. Workers Compensation Audit – Pat and Kathy informed us about the
WCB audit being conducted throughout the CBE. Twelve schools are
involved in the audit: Centennial, Crescent Heights and ten junior high
schools. This is an ongoing process and another set of schools will be
chosen next year. Selected employees in all areas of the school were
interviewed. Kathy was questioned at Centennial.
5. Theresa Michiel
a. Distillation apparatus from water solutions – Theresa has just purchased
a new distiller for Crescent Heights. Water Solutions is now the only
company in Calgary who supply distillers and related products. The
Water Depot on Macleod Trail has closed down.
Contact Information:
Water Solutions
216 2835 23 Street N.E.
John Bauer Phone: (403) 569-8932
Theresa gave us all a flyer with the current prices. She chose the
PWS8-5 at $3000. The old one was taken away when the new one was
delivered and installed.
6. Karen Williams
a. CBE stores and Northwest/Boreal Discount – Karen is working with us
and CBE stores to ensure the science items we need are stocked at
Highfield. Since Northwest has closed its west coast operations, we are
all noticing our orders from Ontario are taking longer to reach us (up to 6
weeks). It is important that Highfield become a source for us for general
supplies. Karen collected the list she e-mailed us about items already
stocked to see what we purchased. She will get back to us with the
results. Northwest/Boreal are giving us an extra 2% discount until
January 31st , 2006 (total discount on catalogue prices 15%). They
recognize there have been difficulties with the new setup. It is on the
horizon that Wards will become part of the CBE contract, but it has not
happened yet. Rebecca informed us we will soon be able to order online
from stores. It will help stores as they now manually enter each order.
7. Miscellaneous
a. Richard Packaging Inc. is on the Tech website under ‘Contacts.’
Contact Information:
Richard Packaging Inc.
1000 – 55 Avenue N.E.
Phone: (403) 273-0008
They are a good source for new routine waste jugs, plastic containers,
and replacement caps. They are worth visiting to see their inventory.
CBE stores could stock Richards useful items.
b. Theresa says Fisher is a good supplier of droppers which actually fit the
Barnes bottles. They come in bags of 100.
c. Tai says he uses Para film to make the Northwest droppers fit. Tai uses
Chinese agar he purchases from the Pacific Mall for the Science 10 agar
cell diffusion lab. $2 makes about two liters.
d. Tai has been trying to find the tool to repair the aneroid blood pressure
cuffs. He is using tiny pliers which he purchased at Princess Auto to rezero the dial.
e. Ross Mann is available to repair air tables, scales, microscopes and
more. He now lives in Calgary. His e-mail address is ve6ram@shaw.ca.
He charges $12.50 to service a microscope.
f.
Sargent Welch has spark timer paper.
8. The meeting was adjourned at 4:30pm. The next meeting will be held on
Tuesday, January 17th, 2006, at 1:00pm in the library at Winston Churchill High
School.
9. Please send agenda items to Mary by Thursday, January 12th, 2006 at
mmshelford@cbe.ab.ca.
Chair: Mary Shelford
Recorder: Rebecca Michaels