Below I've laid out resources to be used to ensure that my science classroom is a safe learning environment. A sample lab safety activity is laid out below, in addition to links to resources. 

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Lab Safety Lesson Plan

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            In looking over the National Science Teachers Association website, I found a ton of valuable resources. One document was published by the Virginia State Department of Education and is titled “Safety in Teaching Science,” which looks like a great reference guide to have around the classroom

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NSTA Lab Safety: http://www.nsta.org/safety/

VDOE Lab Safety: http://www.doe.virginia.gov/instruction/science/middle/safety_science_teaching.pdf

Flinn Scientific: Safety Resources

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Also, a great reference website that has a conversational thread where teachers share resources they use for finding lab safety training equipment. https://learningcenter.nsta.org/discuss/default.aspx?tid=QEJXFcAliwE_E

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Lab Safety Activity

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1. Intro (5 mins) Introduce “lab safety” as the day’s topic and tell students that they will be responsible for learning lab safety procedures and passing a test before they can participate in any labs.

2. Lab Diagram Worksheet (10 mins) Pass out a diagram of the science classroom and have students work in pairs to label different parts of the room. Before the class arrives, I will be place letters around the room to indicate which stations should be included on their diagram. Stations will include things like: emergency eye wash station, chemical cabinet, sink, lab coat storage, etc. Students can get up and walk around to fill in the diagram. Wrap up by sharing the name and purpose of each station.

3. Safety Discussion and Videos (20 mins) Brainstorm some potential lab safety concerns as a group that could occur at each of the stations in the prior activity. Once students have brainstormed a good list which can be listed on the board and added onto, I would give them a note-taking sheet and have them watch the following lab safety video and fill in missing information as they watch.  I would make sure to point out the things of note after the video (fire extinguisher, exits). After clarifying any questions about the video, I would collect the sheets and have the students read over together and sign a lab safety agreement.

4. Homework I would give students a take-home quiz to complete and return for credit before they can use the lab equipment. If there is a specific training on a piece of equipment for a lab, then I would give a special training that day and check in with each individual, group, or lab partners to demonstrate to me that they understand the procedure. One example of when to do this would be the first time students were disposing of hazardous waste materials.

5. Fun Exit Video (5 mins) I would play this silly rap video about lab safety at the end of class as a recap about everything that was discussed.

 

     The above Lab Safety Activity addresses all stations, equipment used and potential accidents that could occur in a lab. The diagram the students fill in the beginning with a partner gives the location of safety equipment and basic information about each. The note-taking worksheet that the students fill out while watching the safety video would have more detailed information regarding the proper use of things, like the eye-washing station with information like “keep eyes open at all times and flush for 15 minutes if chemicals enter eye.” For a demonstration of handling proper equipment, I would demo the correct position for carrying and moving various objects around the room.

 

 

       The video does not cover the proper disposal of hazardous waste to my liking and also does not show where, in my actual classroom waste should go, therefore I would demonstrate with colored water labeled as “acid” and “base” how to clean up a simple spill and how to dump the liquid into a waste container and rinse and return the glassware afterwards. Another area that isn’t covered in great detail is how to properly remove plastic gloves without causing any potential contamination. I would demonstrate this protocol and tell students that they will have to practice and pass a “glove test” before they the first lab. The last thing that I would cover with students is the importance of check the lab for safety concerns before and after using the space. We might look over a few photographs of actual science labs and play the “what do you think is wrong in this picture?” game to hone in on their critical safety observation skills.  

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