Student fragging

[ladyfsu]

OK...it's funny 1 yr ago I didn't even know what a frag was.

Euro-reef promised me some protein skimmers, but I didn't hear from them for a while. I sent them a link to this site this morning so they can see what we're doing in case someone there might be doubtful about my intentions. I already heard back from them today and they said the skimmers will be sent out immediately HOORAY!!!

Yesterday I had several students start to "frag" so that maybe things could heal or grow some by the time they return on the 9th. Take a look...any ideas on things I'm forgetting? Should I have them wear goggles (I know I should in case something squirts). Any other ideas from what you see?

By the way, these corals are mostly donations from you guys! THANKS!! Maybe at the end of the school year we'll have enough to share before the start of the summer.

http://www.reefrascals.org/euroreef.html

 

[CMcNeil]

i would say to use goggles and gloves just for safety reasons.you never know what could happen when fragging.

 

[Don Lino]

Yup, same here..Gloves even when they put their hands in the tanks, protect yourself... Hopefully you can get a donation of Gloves, looks like you need a pallet full. O'yea, gloves on both hands...other then that looks like the way I do my fraggin!

 

[alizarin]

I'd explain the dangers of palytoxin to them (http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?postid=1287886) and maybe even don't let them frag the zoanthids and button polyps. They might be lax and scratch near their eyes with a mucus covered glove otherwise.

 

[ladyfsu]

Yes, I agree. If that is the post I think it is, it's scary!! I'll read it in a sec.

Gloves and goggles...definately not fragging the buttons, and prob not zoanthids except for a handful of students. We've been over a lot of first aid and precautions. We have eye washes, etc. I just worry about the worst case scenerio. I've only let 6 students do this so far as a test run (it was an exam make-up day). I mean, students disect, use blow torches and saws, lots of moderately dangerous chemicals in other classes. I'll talk to our district supervisor and see what she says, or who I should talk to. Thx.

 

[BlitzK]

I think it's absurd that we must make kids wear gloves, googles, armor suit, etc. just to touch a rock... but you know what, you better make sure they do to cover your butt!

"aquarium gloves" are nice... I use them when moving rocks, etc around.

 

[ladyfsu]

See that's the whole thing...I do this myself with nothing on my face or hands...BUT...1 kid who is allergic to stuff...another kid who might think it's funny to fling something or w/e etc...

but I could say that about anything too (disections, shop class etc).

Where is the line between teaching and being too paranoid? I AM scared...all the time. I never take chances until now. I've always been very happy doing the bookwork, the powerpoints, a few labs, etc. This is crossing the border in that I can't find ANYTHING about other teachers doing this...but my students are ADDICTED! They are reading up on chemistry for this, on coral reproduction...every type of science there is practically. My "lowest" level students who could care less about school want to be a part of THIS because it's something they can "see" and care about.

You are a safe teacher if you teach from the book, do your FCAT practice questions with the students every day, and do things that have been done before...even if it's been done for 40 years.

Eh...well...it's my 1st day of vacation and I'm enjoying it. Thanks for the input. I'll let it all soak in over the next 2 weeks!

Cheers and happy holidays!

 

[amheck]

Just something to be aware of...I am pretty sure palytoxin is one of, if not the most, strongest toxins on the planet.

 

[ladyfsu]

yep it is

...I still think it is safer (waves signed, first aid reviewed, etc) than using power tools, disecting, etc. Again, I'll check with my supervisor on what she thinks. Gloves and goggles... and corals like xenia, anthelia...

...then again, I can just tell them to read pages 12-20 everyday :/

 

[glyle41]

palytoxin is no joke have had my arms numbed by it more than once would be good idea if fragging expecially the larger palys to wear gloves and be really really careful about what they touch while cutting

 

[2swift]

Hi all sorry to hijack but lady fsu how is the cheato working out for you?

 

[ladyfsu]

Are you the one who gave it to Playa? I didn't get it, but someone else had just given me quite a bit. I appreciate it though.

I am having a big problem at school though. They turned off the air conditioning, and with all of those tanks, the humidity is AWFUL in the class and everything is getting REAL wet (water dripping off of everything). I hope I can get ahold of someone to turn it back on >

 

[2swift]

Yep.
Why did they kill the ac?
Turn it on or fix it? If so what's broke ?

 

[ladyfsu]

They turn the air off over breaks/holidays. If they turn it back on, then I won't have the humidity problem. Nothing's broken (yet).

 

[2swift]

Ahh I see. well good luck