Safety in the Laboratory Students must be engaged in hands-on, minds-on learning activities for optimal understanding of complex science concepts. Managing laboratory experiments, however, requires preparation, organization, consistency, and diligence. Hot glassware that appears cool to the eye, caustic chemicals, and open flames are common elements in middle and high school classrooms. When teachers and students are not prepared to deal with these conditions, disaster is imminent. As a science educator, you must evaluate and refine the laboratory teaching techniques you use to prepare students to safely conduct experiments. You are also responsible for inspecting and maintaining your laboratory workspace, storage spaces, and equipment. Follow these guidelines to make safety a priority in your laboratory. Create a Calm, Focused Atmosphere The atmosphere that you establish and reinforce in your classroom helps establish the attitude your students have regarding safety. Provide an organized, uncluttered environment. The risk of confusion and accidents decreases when students know where to find equipment, and have sufficient room to work. Establish consistent locations for specific pieces of equipment and chemicals. Countertops, floors, and exits should be clear of book bags, loose paper, and other obstructions. Model proper techniques and a professional attitude. Students learn a great deal from observing how you conduct yourself in the laboratory. When you speak calmly and work deliberately, you set a crucial, positive tone for student behavior and work ethic. When a teacher takes unsafe procedural shortcuts or does not focus on the work at hand, students are likely to take his or her lead. Create and implement a safety contract. Develop an agreement that outlines your expectations for student conduct in the laboratory. Be consistent in enforcing these rules. Students and parents who sign the contract should understand that unsafe behavior in the lab will result in loss of laboratory privileges for a specified period of time. Prepare your Students Preparation is a critical step to ensuring success-and safety-in the classroom. Teach basic laboratory skills, and make sure students perform them correctly. Never assume that students already know how to perform basic laboratory skills when they enter your classroom. Lighting a Bunsen burner, using a pair of tongs, or disposing of a match are essential skills that, when done improperly, can cause dangerous situations. Teach these skills, and monitor and provide feedback to students as they perform them. Provide instruction in the location and use of safety equipment. Simply having a fire blanket, fire extinguisher, and eyewash station in the lab is not sufficient preparation for an emergency. Teach students how to access these tools, and review specifics of their usage periodically. Provide opportunities for practice. Students should be prepared to respond to emergency situations quickly and efficiently. Incorporate safety drills for fire emergencies and chemical spills into classroom activities. Include questions related to safety issues in graded assessments of other curricular topics. Spend adequate time teaching and practicing new skills. Bending glass tubing, inserting glass tubing into a stopper, and other infrequently used techniques require special preparation. Make sure students are comfortable with a new procedure before expecting them to try it on their own. Establish and Enforce Specific Standards Standards of conduct and dress go a long way toward ensuring that your students remain safe in the laboratory. Demand appropriate attire for laboratory work. Middle and high school students can be preoccupied with physical appearances. But while safety goggles and chemical aprons may not be stylish, they are crucial to student safety. Enforce a strict dress code for the lab: goggles must be worn at all times, and students must not be allowed to wear sandals, garments with long, floppy sleeves, dangling earrings, or long hair that is not restrained. Deal with unsafe behaviors quickly and consistently. Students must know that you are watching them closely and will not tolerate behavior that could cause a dangerous situation. Require students to prepare for an experiment prior to laboratory day. Students should be familiar with the procedure before beginning an experiment. Have students read through the entire experiment one or more days prior to conducting it. Use questioning and discussion to make sure they are comfortable with each procedural step. Evaluate the Lab Environment Your laboratory environment can provide students with equipment that is either safe and reliable or sub-standard. Take the steps necessary to ensure the best experience possible. Examine glassware and other equipment for defects on a regular basis. Removing faulty equipment before students attempt to use it reduces confusion and can eliminate a potentially dangerous situation. Inspect work spaces frequently. Floors and countertops must be free of debris, and insist on non-skid wax on laboratory floors. Vents and nozzles should be free of obstruction and allow air to move freely. Seldom-used equipment should be stored in a secure location. Consider Time Management Issues Careful consideration of the time required for preparation, investigation, and clean-up will ensure the safest possible environment for your students. Provide sufficient time for experiments. The potential for accidents increases when students rush through an experimental procedure. Consider stretching lengthy experiments over multiple days. Provide students with time updates throughout the experiment, and let them know when they should stop work and begin to clean up. Incorporate sufficient time for students to clean up after a lab. Provide ample time for students to clean and dry glassware, dispose of chemicals, and return equipment to a central location before class ends. This article was contributed by Jennipher Willoughby, a freelance writer and former science and technology specialist for Lynchburg City Schools in Lynchburg, Virginia.