Staying Safe in Science

Today you will learn to work safely in science class and outdoors. You will also learn where the safety equipment is. Before any investigation, your class goes over the rules together. Then each student agrees to follow them. This is called a safety contract. A safety contract is a promise to work safely. You sign it or say yes before you begin.

Some gear keeps you safe at your table. Goggles cover your eyes. Dirt or water can splash, and eyes are easy to hurt. An apron protects your clothes from spills and stains. Gloves keep soil, germs, and sharp bits off your skin. When you take your gloves off, you still wash your hands. Use soap and water. Germs can slip onto your skin when gloves come off. Never touch chemicals or heat sources by yourself. Your teacher handles those. You watch and ask questions.

Your science room also has emergency equipment. Know where each one is. The eyewash station rinses your eyes if something splashes in them. The fire extinguisher and fire blanket put out small fires. The first aid kit has bandages for small cuts. Adults use this equipment. Your job is simple. Move away from the problem. Then tell your teacher at once. If your teacher is not close, get any adult fast.

Here is a Texas example. Your class makes a soil garden in cups. Step one, put on goggles, apron, and gloves. Step two, scoop soil slowly so it does not fly. Step three, walk with tools, never run. Step four, put the tools back where they belong. Step five, take off gloves and wash your hands. Do the steps in this order every time.

Sometimes you do a field investigation. A field investigation is science done outdoors. Wear a hat and closed shoes. Bring a water bottle. Stay with your group and your teacher. Look at bugs, snakes, and fire ants with your eyes, not your hands. If you see a fire ant mound, back away from it. Never reach into holes, tall grass, or water. If a bee or fire ant stings you, tell your teacher right away. Do not scratch it or hide it. If you cannot see your group, stop walking. Stay where you are and call for your teacher.

Now try it. Two classmates are at the soil station. Maya is walking to the sink with her gloves on. She takes them off, then washes with soap. Jon is running to show a friend his cup of soil. He has no goggles on. Who is working safely, and why?

Maya is working safely. She walks, so nothing spills or trips anyone. She washes her hands after her gloves come off. Jon is not safe. Running can make soil fly into eyes. Without goggles, his eyes could get hurt. He should walk, wear goggles, and stay at his station.