Science Safety and
Classroom Management
Plan
Goals
• All students and the teacher are ensured a
safe working environment during
investigations and experiments.
• Students learn to take responsibility for
their actions and conduct themselves in a
conscientious manner.
• Students will develop the ability to follow
written and verbal instructions carefully
and accurately. This ensures a productive
and knowledgeable experience.
Methods
1. Students will identify safety concerns of
an experiment before they begin the
activity.
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This method has been observed in Ms.
Gettelman’s middle school class. Before they
begin any experiment, they write down the
hypothesis and safety concerns. This results
in students’ increased awareness of their
safety in the laboratory, and a better
understanding of ways in which they can
protect themselves.
Methods (Cont.)
2. Class Project. I will have students
research safety issues in the
laboratory. They will then use this
information to collectively create
rules for the lab and guidelines to
follow during emergencies.
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This would serve as a benchmark
lesson. Students would learn how to
use equipment safely.
Methods (Cont.)
3. I will encourage students to ask
questions if they don’t understand the
procedure.
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Before beginning a lab, Ms. Gettelman has
students individually read through the
procedure, and then she highlights key
points. During the experiment, she walks
around checking students’ execution of the
experiment. This ensures a safe working
environment for the whole class.
Bibliography
• Flinn Scientific Inc. Website. 2006. Available from
http://www.flinnsci.com/. Internet. Accessed 12 November
2006.
• National Science Education Leadership Association.
Website. 2006. Available from
http://www.nsela.org/roysafe.htm. Internet. Accessed 12
November 2006.
• Krajcok, J; Czerniak, C; Berger, C. Teaching Science in
Elementary and Middle School Classrooms: A Project-Based
Approach. Boston: McGraw Hill, 2003.
• The Laboratory Safety Institute. Website. 2006. Available
from http://www.labsafety.org/. Internet. Accessed 12
November 2006.
Animals
• “Handle all living organisms used in a laboratory
activity in a humane manner. Preserved biological
materials are to be treated with respect and
disposed of properly” (Flinn Scientific’s Student
Safety Contract).
• Animals must be housed properly and cages must
be kept clean and secure.
• Students may not tease, poke or tap on the cages
of animals.
• Students should always wash their hands after
handling animals.
• All animals must be disease
free and vaccinated if needed.
Chemical Storage and
Waste Disposal
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All chemicals are to be considered dangerous and, therefore,
should be handled with care.
All chemicals must be clearly labeled.
Do not store volatile chemicals together, near heat sources, or
near electricity, and keep these items locked in a safe place.
Never return used or unused chemicals to their original container.
Be prepared for spills and contact with skin. Have necessary eyewasher, shower, fire blanket, etc. on hand.
Instruct students to keep all chemicals are from their eyes, nose
and mouth.
Chemicals must be disposed of in accordance with the Department
of Health.
First Aid Procedures
• All burns, cuts, scraps will be documented and checked by
the school nurse. Parents or guardians will be notified.
• Report all accidents and injuries immediately.
• If your eye or any part of your body comes in contact with a
chemical begin rinsing immediately and notify teacher.
• Do not touch mercury from a broken thermometer.
• The American National Red Cross
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Stay clam and make sure the environment is safe
Restore breathing
Stop bleeding
Prevent shock
Clean-up Procedures
• The laboratory is to be left in the same condition in which it
was found.
• All equipment is to be cleaned and put away in correct
location.
• Chemicals should never be returned to the original
container.
• Follow teacher’s direction as to where chemicals should be
disposed of.
• Students will be made aware of the expectations during lab
clean-up. They will help to formulate the clean-up
procedure and the consequences for failing to do so
correctly. Consequences may include writing a paper or
giving a presentation on the importance of lab safety.