Demonstration Safety

This page lists all safety precautions and requirements for demonstrations. Please read over carefully before performing any demonstrations.

Flying Particle Demonstration Safety

Under Construction Some of our demonstrations release particles or debris during the performance. Please take the following precautions if you are performing a demonstration which releases particles:

• Use a blast shield, if possible. It will help protect the audience from any debris.
• Have a designated "Blast Radius" for the demonstration. If you have a blast shield, the minimum radius is six feet. If you do not, the minimum radius is fifteen feet.
• All presenters and volunteers must wear safety glasses or safety goggles when the demonstration is being performed. Presenters not involved in the demonstration should stay outside of the blast radius.
• If the demonstration fires particles in one direction, it should be aimed away from the audience and other demonstrations.

If a demonstration gives off smoke or any similar micro-particles, then please use the following safety precautions:

• Only perform a demonstration which gives off smoke or similar micro-particles in a well ventilated area
• Notify the contact for the event prior to the event that the demonstration gives off smoke. They may need to move your presentation to a new room, or ask for a different demonstration to replace it.
• Be aware of any smoke alarms in the room, if any, and avoid using the demonstration near one.
• Do not let anyone from the audience to come close to a demonstration that is still giving off smoke.

Other Demonstration Hazards and Safety Precautions

Radioactivity Demonstration

• This demonstration utilizes a Geiger Counter, which needs to be carefully taken care of. Remove the batteries from the Geiger Counter when it is no longer in use to preserve battery life. It is a sensitive piece of equipment, so never drop it or you may disrupt the equipment inside. If after use you notice that the batteries are low, be sure to plug the device in when you return to the planetarium, and allow it to charge overnight. Do not leave it plugged in for more than 24 hours.
• This demonstration uses radioactive objects. Be careful not to let small children put any pieces of the plate in their mouths. Do not let anyone keep a piece of the plate. The plate gives off Beta-decay and Alpha-decay, so it should be kept in the plastic container until the presentation. The pieces are safe to hold and examine, but be sure to have all pieces returned to you before the end of the demonstration. The Uranium ore sample gives off Beta-decay and Alpha-decay as well, and is safe to handle. Make sure to have all radiation sources returned to you and placed into the container before the end of the performance.
• All Science Theatre Officers who will be using this demonstration should go through the EHS Radiation Safety Refresher Training. Officers and volunteers are not required to go through this training, but officers are strongly encouraged to do so, and are required to instruct volunteers on safe handling of radioactive samples, the Geiger Counter, and proper presentation of this demonstration.