2.1A Safety Fast Facts
Student safety comes first in any science setting. The science classroom and outdoor areas present unique challenges in maintaining a safe working environment. Even though students have been taught safety rules and the use of safety equipment since Kindergarten, reviewing safety procedures with each classroom, laboratory, or field investigation remains a teacher priority. Students should keep a copy of school or class safety rules, and sign a safety contract, which promises that they will act responsibly. Students should be told how to act in an emergency or in an unsafe situation and must be able to identify safe practices regarding safety equipment.
Safety goggles should be worn any time there is a possible eye hazard, such as splashes from liquids, dust or debris from cutting or pounding materials, or chemical fumes. Students should develop a routine of putting on safety goggles before they begin to work with materials. Safety goggles are worn over prescription glasses. Teachers can show students how to sanitize safety goggles with alcohol wipes. Goggles can also be cleaned in warm, soapy water; then rinsed and soaked in a bleach-water solution for 10 minutes; rinsed a final time; and then air dried. After being introduced to proper goggle procedures, students should be able to demonstrate when to use safety goggles, how to put them on, how to sanitize them, and how to store them properly.
Washing hands with warm, soapy water should be mandatory for students after handling materials or live organisms in the laboratory or outdoors. Not all students know how to wash hands thoroughly and will need to be taught how to wash both sides of their hands, wash between their fingers, and rinse the soap off properly. Provide plenty of time for this cleanup process. Students should be able to identify when they should wash their hands and demonstrate how to wash properly. Provide alternative methods for cleaning hands when doing outdoor investigations.
Whether in the classroom or in an outdoor field investigation, students will need guidelines for using materials appropriately. Pouring liquids, measuring materials, obtaining materials, and storing materials are only a few of the procedures students will need to identify and demonstrate. At this young age, keeping students from playing with materials will be a special challenge. When in doubt, students should always ask a teacher for instructions.
2.1A Safety Assessment Answers
- Safety goggles should be worn in both drawings.
- Indoors - washing hands with soap and water, singing the song; Outdoors - alternative method such as hand sanitizer.
- Answers will vary, but should include: raise hand and/or ask for help from teacher.
