- Organization / Don't Hoard

- Have a specific spot to do experiments

- Have a safer backup activity for a substitute in case you are gone

- Have written safety reminders visible in the classroom

-Clean work surface when finished

-Set high expectations & hold students accountable

3.J.8.d. how to implement safe environments for learning science through knowing

3.J.8.d.ii.  how to establish and enforce recognized safety procedures during the science learning experience;

- Eyewashes

- Ensure you have enough space

- Ensure materials are properly stored and       chemicals are away from students. Keep the   chemicals to household items

- The largest flame in elementary should be a candle

- Have safety procedures (fire, storm) in an accessible place

- Practice identifying the hazard pictograms (poison, biohazard, etc.)

3.J.8.d.i.state and national legal responsibilities and safety guidelines for teaching science; (NSTA Duty of Care) 

Duty of Care: "an obligation, recognized by law, requiring conformance to a certain standard of conduct to protect others against unreasonable risk." 

Breaking this obligation leads to liability for the teacher as well as the school district employing the teacher. 

Negligence: "conduct that falls below a standard of care established by law or profession to protect others from an unreasonable risk of harm, or the failure to exercise due care." 

While the duty of care remains the same for each teacher, the behavior expected of a teacher changes with each situation. 

Teachers and administrators should understand the following behaviors required to meet theduty or standard of care:

- Notify Students of Safety Practices and Procedures

- Instruct and Model Safety

- Warn Students of Hazards

- Inspect for Safety

- Enforce Safety Regulations

- Maintain Equipment

3 overarching responsibilities on the part of the science teacher:

1. Duty of Instruction

2. Duty of Supervision

3. Duty of Maintenance

A safety acknowledgement form should be signed by the student and their guardian.

3.J.8.d.iii.  how to use required safety equipment for classroom, field, and laboratory settings including goggles, fire extinguisher, fire blanket, eye wash, and chemical shower

Goggles

Fire Extinguisher 

Fire Blanket 

Eye Wash Station 

Chemical Shower

3.J.8.d.iv.  how to manage, maintain, and utilize science supplies and equipment; (Chapter 3 & 4) - Eliza

- Make sure students can get through the classroom to be able to reach sinks and eyewash station

- Label everything with what's inside and what dangers it may cause.

- Enough storage that students can and cannot reach

- Lock things that students should not be able to get on their own

- Lips on storage units with liquids in them to avoid overspilling

- There are special storage units for acid and other chemicals.

- Lable everything with date of purchase and expiration date, Expired chemicals are very dangourous.

- File everything to the MSDS and make sure other people can access it who aren't in your classroom all the time

- Understand how to dispose of the chemicals

3.J.8.d.v.  state and national guidelines and plan for the care, storage, use, and disposal of chemicals and equipment used to teach science; (Chapter 4 & 6)

-Store chemicals by category , not alphabetically

-Dont store flammable chemicals in the classroom, and never with combustible materials

-Dont keep corrosives (e.g. acids and bases) in an elementary classroom at all. 

-Have the number of your nearest poison control center in front of your lesson plan book phone book (post it by your phone)