Rock Hill Schools Science and Safety: It’s Elementary! Inquiry opens their minds….guide their journey safely. (Dana Center-Safety Standards)

But……before we get serious… The teacher asks her students, “What is a fossil?” A student raises her hand and says, “A fossil is an extinct animal. The older it is, the more extinct it is.”

But……before we get serious… A student was asked to define the term “magnet.” The student replied, “Something you find crawling all over a dead cat.”

But……before we get serious… Yet another student was asked to define the term “vacuum.” The student responded, “A large, empty space where the pope lives. “

But……before we get serious… Finally another student was asked the purpose of a flower’s pistil. The student responded, “The pistol of a flower is its only protection against insects.“

Set the tone…………… be enthusiastic about safety!

Teacher’s Duty of Care Teachers are responsible for exercising good judgment in planning and conducting safe science investigations. providing students with instruction in safe science practices. providing supervision for all science activities. maintaining a written record of student safety instruction. (see form on website)

Teacher’s Duty of Care A Tort is a wrong, or injury, that someone has committed against someone else. The injured party generally wants restitution for the injury or damages.

Teacher’s Duty of Care Under the South Carolina Tort Claims Act, a school/district/teacher would have to be found to be grossly negligent before they would be liable for an injury to a student in a lab situation. In addition, teachers, as individuals, cannot be sued under the Tort Claims Act. Our law provides good protection for employees of governmental entities.

So………………………. be diligent. be aware. keep your students safety and well-being your number one priority. AND YOU WILL BE FINE!

Safety Contracts Have a safety contract signed by student and parents. Keep one copy of the contract for your files. Have the student/ parent keep a copy. See website for sample safety contracts.

Before you do each kit…. send home information about what the kit entails, FOSS already has these prepared. I know many of you already do this. If we need to develop them for STC, Insights, and Delta Modules, we can.

Safety Strategies in the CR Teach students to conduct activities safely. Make sure any safety equipment needed works and is available. Be a role model for safety. Constantly monitor students.

Safety Rules Have your students help you create them…..they might include: Listen carefully to the teacher’s instructions. Let the teacher know if there is a spill. Never taste or smell chemicals unless the teacher says you can. Tie your hair back to get it out of the way. See website for more possible rules. ……you get the idea.

Do you know….. ….what the number one cause of lab accidents is? Not following directions.

BE ALERT AT…. ALL TIMES!

Field Trips are valuable educational experiences. Keep student safety in mind. Establish and enforce rules for safe student conduct. Plan field studies by visiting site, if possible, establishing emergency procedures, and obtaining parental permission. Consider carrying student information with you in case of an emergency.

Field Trips continued are valuable educational experiences. Ensure specimen collections serve valid educational purposes. Be sure you know of student allergies (plant and insects). We are in the South…… keep a keen eye out for fire ants.

The bottom line…. most students enjoy “doing” science.

Plan for their safety…. …and have fun yourself!

For more information Visit the RHS Website….. -Departments -Instruction and Accountability -Lab and Science Kit Safety OR…………..

Contact… Kimberly Massey Science Instructional Specialist ► ►