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Heather Cowart

Teaching Lab Safety: Seven Essential Tips for Science Teachers


a student holding an erlenmeyer flask with safety glasses and a lab coat

Do you dread teaching lab safety? Even if you do, as science teachers, we must foster a safe and engaging learning environment for our students. How can we expect our students to follow lab safety procedures and use lab equipment and tools appropriately without being taught? For successful investigations, science teachers must teach students lab safety and how to use lab equipment properly. So, don't dread teaching lab safety. It's easy! Continue reading for seven essential tips for science teachers and resources to use when teaching lab safety and lab equipment in the science classroom.

Tip # 1 | Establish Clear Routines, Expectations, and Procedures for Teaching Lab Safety

In other words, let students know what you expect. It's a good idea to display those expectations in a prominent location. Furthermore, remind them of lab safety and the proper use of lab equipment frequently. You'll also need to establish consequences. I like to provide alternate assignments for students who choose not to follow the appropriate procedures.


Tip # 2 | Demonstrate to Teach Lab Safety

Don't just tell them the routines, procedures, and expectations. Show them! You can model procedures like how to heat something in a test tube or how to handle a situation with broken glass. I like to set up a simple lab like this Slime Time: Following Lab Procedures Lab and model such procedures like lab clean up. You simply print the lab FREEBIE and provide a few supplies. You students handle lab equipment and perform a lab safely while you observe and provide feedback.


Tip # 3 | Label and Organize to Teach Lab Safety

Speaking of clean up...make this routine for students. At the end of an investigation, teach students how to clean up and return materials to their proper location. This routine is simple for the students if lab materials and supplies are labeled and organized. During Slime Time: Following Lab Procedures Lab, you could have students find the needed materials using the labels found in your classroom and guidance from you, of course.


Tip # 4 | Teach Proper Use and Handling of Lab Equipment for Teaching Lab Safety

While doing the Slime Time: Following Lab Procedures Lab, you can also teach students proper use and handling of lab equipment (even lab tools that aren't used during the particular lab). While the students are working, look for inappropriate lab procedures. If you see something, say something. But, also make a note. After the investigation, use your notes to facilitate a discussion about proper lab safety procedures and the use of lab equipment. At this point, I like to use an illustration where students pick out lab safety concerns and inappropriate use of various lab tools. Check out this Lab Safety Rules Search Activity by Ez-Pz Science. You can even have students draw their own and swap with a classmate.


Tip # 5 | Monitor and Assess when Teaching Lab Safety

First, teach your students not to investigate without the science teacher present. Remember, YOU are an important part of lab safety. As students investigate, you should be present monitoring, assessing, and providing feedback. For example, if you see students horse playing, stop them. If you see a student heating a test tube pointed towards another student, correct their use of the tool. Make a note of these moments and use the scenarios to teach students what to do and not do in the lab. Formative assessment is also important. Check out this Lab Equipment and Safety Crossword Puzzle FREEBIE. It's perfect for using as a ticket out the door after the Slime Time: Following Lab Procedures Lab. You could even use it as an engaging homework assignment.


Tip # 6 | Emphasize the Importance of Lab Safety Gear

The best way to encourage students to use lab safety gear like googles, hot mitts or tongs, aprons, etc. is to use them yourself. If they see you, the science teacher, not wearing the safety gear, they just might wonder why do they need it. Period.


Tip # 7 | Foster a Culture of Communication for Teaching Lab Safety

Let's face it...accidents will happen. Therefore, it is important that we foster a culture that promotes open communication when they do. Do you know a teacher that is quick to anger and yell when things don't go as planned? Let's imagine that a student in that teacher's class, Lucas, spills a chemical accidentally. Lucas feels terrible but doesn't want to get in trouble. Instead, he leaves the spill and goes to the other side of the classroom to continue his work, pretending as if nothing happened. Meanwhile, the spilled chemical travels to Lily's workspace. She reaches to pick up a lab supply in the area of the spill. Now, the spilled chemical is on her clothing which is touching her skin. Did I mention the chemical is a HCl solution? Lily's skin begins to burn a little.


Let's rewind to when Lucas accidentally spilled the chemical. Why do you suppose he "swept the mistake under the rug" instead of informing the teacher of the accident? Last, but not least, we must foster a culture of communication and honesty.


Before you go, don't forget to download your FREEBIES and the other resources. And, let us know what other tips you have for teaching lab safety!

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