RE: Unsafe High School Science Project

["Neil, David M" <neildm@id.doe.gov>]

This is a bit off-topic, but I used a spark coil in a Skinner box to try to
condition a mouse, for a biology project.  I built better than I realized,
though, and the mouse never noticed; it was at the same potential as its
surroundings.  The only life form to ever react was a friend who tried to
help me (without my knowledge) by repositioning the mouse during a PTA
demonstration of our projects. I had the electronics package open, with my
back to the cage door, explaining the process as I went along, and when I
flipped the switch we were treated to an impromptu display of yodeling,
punctuated by a naughty word.

None of my science teachers wanted projects after that.

Dave Neil		neildm@id.doe.gov

The statistics on sanity are that one out of every four Americans is
suffering from some form of mental illness.  Think of your three best
friends. If they're okay, then it's you.

On Thursday, April 13, 2000 8:42 PM, DTu7266800@aol.com
[SMTP:DTu7266800@aol.com] wrote:
> Lew,
> I too made an X-ray machine with a radio tube and model T spark coil for
my 
> high school project ( and received an A) in the mid 1950's in Northern 
> California.  I found the plans in an old Popular Science Magazine.  I did 
> cask a lead shield (which was far more hazardous than the radiation).  I 
> radiographed a necklace chain.  
> 
> I remember that the photography shop where I purchased the plate film
didn't 
> want to develop the film because they were afraid it would fog the other 
> customers' film from "residual radiation".  I had quite a time convincing
an 
> adult that the film itself wasn't radioactive.  That summer I won a
science 
> scholarship to Humboldt State and met someone who knew a "professional" in

> the field of health physics.  She sent me a couple of film badges which I 
> exposed and returned to her for processing.  I don't remeber the exposure 
> rate but it was miniscule.
> 
> I wonder if my exuberance was suppressed back then if I would ever have 
> persued a career in health physics that resulted in being the RPM for 2 
> Nuclear power plants, and the RSO for 3 state licenses.
> 
> Regards,
> 
> Doug
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