ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related institutions.
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Hey everyone, 

The OMSI Chemistry Lab also has a flame chemistry experiment in which visitors take metal wire loops, dip them in water solutions of metal salts, and place them in a bunsen burner flame. (You can see a picture and more detailed description of the setup at http://www.omsi.edu/visit/chemistry/module.cfm?UnitCurrentKey=11&ModuleCurrentKey=51)

The flame is behind a plastic shield that requires visitors to stretch their arm out to reach it. In addition, the Chemistry Lab is always supervised by lab staff, who help to make sure visitors see the flame and interact with it safely. Visitors just take the loops out of the test tubes and stick them in the flame, but the experiment has proven remarkably safe. In my opinion the safest part of the experiment is the water in the metal salt solutions - so many of these flame tests suggest using methanol, but water works well and is much safer.

Jake Ashcraft
Oregon Museum of Science and Industry 

-----Original Message-----
From: Informal Science Education Network
[mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of Phillip Keck
Sent: Wednesday, January 24, 2007 1:14 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Fire


ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related institutions.
*****************************************************************************

Hello all,

Does anyone have any exhibits, or does anyone have any type of
programming, where visitors directly interact with fire?  I'm thinking
anything like Bunsen burners or any of that stuff.  Did you have any
problems getting approval/permission to do have fire?  Have you had any
problems with safety or anything else?  Any other thoughts?

Thanks,
Phil Keck
Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago 

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