Activity 3

Topic: Laboratory Safety

Background information: In almost everything we do -- playing sports, driving cars and bicycles, playing games -- and nearly everywhere we go -- school, work, the pool or the beach -- rules are established for the safety of all and the good of the whole. Laboratory rules make for a safe environment for all the workers and ensure the quality of the work.

Problem: How do rules help order our lives?

What do I want the children to discover?

Rules do not hinder discovery but provide for safe and successful discovery.

What will I need?

• Samples of rules for various real life activities for children and for professional laboratories. (e.g., bicycle riding rules, swimming pool rules, driving rules, miniature golf rules, board game rules, etc.)

What will we discuss?

• Ask the children why they think we have rules to follow in society.

What will the children do?

• Divide the children into groups of three to five.
• Pass out various rules lists that you have gathered, and ask the children to read them over in their small groups and discuss why each rule is important for each specific activity.
• Discuss situations where rule violations could pose a problem.
• If possible, post laboratory rules that you have gathered from various labs (e.g., x-ray, chemistry lab). Read over these rules and discuss the importance of each rule.

How will the children use or apply what they discovered?

• The children can generate a list of safety rules for the classroom or school science laboratory in work groups.
• Share the rules generated from each work group and compile a final list of class rules for the laboratory.
• Have the children make posters of these rules and post them in the room.

LABORATORY SAFETY GUIDELINES TO CONSIDER: Don't eat or drink from laboratory equipment Keep work area clean Wear protective eye goggles when working with chemicals Read directions before operating equipment Handle live animals with care