Science Safety and Classroom Management Plan By: Gemma FitzPatrick

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. –This method has been observed in Ms. Voelker’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. –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. –Before beginning a lab, Ms. Voelker 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 Available from Internet. Accessed 12 November National Science Education Leadership Association. Website Available from Internet. Accessed 12 November Krajcok, J; Czerniak, C; Berger, C. Teaching Science in Elementary and Middle School Classrooms: A Project-Based Approach. Boston: McGraw Hill, The Laboratory Safety Institute. Website Available from 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 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 eye- washer, 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 –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. Back to Electronic Portfolio