Middle school science consists of a variety of engaging topics that students investigate in a lab setting. However, any science activity may have potential safety issues if not conducted properly. Safety in the science classroom is an important part of the scientific process. To ensure a safe learning environment, the list of rules below has been discussed with all students. We expect that students follow all these rules at all times.

Science Safety Rules

1. Conduct yourself in a responsible manner at all times in the science room. Fooling around, practical jokes, teasing, and pranks will not be tolerated.
2. Follow all written and verbal instructions carefully. Ask your teacher questions if you are not sure what to do.
3. Do not touch any equipment, supplies, specimens, or other materials in the science room without permission from the teacher.
4. Preform only teacher approved experiments and activities. There will be times when you will be asked to design your own experiment, teacher approval is required before you begin collecting data. You are not allowed to change the method after it is approved without getting additional teacher approval. Do not conduct any experiments when the teacher is out of the room.
5. Never eat, drink, chew gum, or taste anything in the science room.
6. Be careful when using the science equipment so that the equipment or your hands are not touching your face, eyes, and mouth. Wash your hands with soap and water after conducting science experiments and activities (hand sanitizer is not an acceptable substitute).
7. Wear safety goggles when instructed. Never remove safety goggles during the middle of an experiment or before all other materials are cleaned up. Putting away the goggles should be the last thing you do at the END of an lab.
8. Keep your work area and the science room neat and clean. You will be responsible for cleaning up all laboratory materials before you leave the room at the end of the class period.
9. Return all equipment, clean and ready for the next class, to where you got it from.
10. Dispose of all waste materials by following the teacher’s instructions. Different types of waste material have to be disposed of in different ways.
11. Report any accident (fire, spill, breakage, etc.), injury (cut, burn, etc.) or hazardous condition (broken equipment, students not following directions, fooling around, etc.) to the teacher IMMEDIATELY.
12. Consider all chemicals in the science room to be dangerous. Do not touch, eat, drink, smell, or play with any chemicals unless specifically instructed to do so.
13. Handle all animals, living or once-living, with care and respect.
14. Always carry a microscope with both hands. Hold the arm with one hand and place the other hand under the base.
15. Treat all required supplies, specimens, and tools with care and respect.
16. Never open storage cabinets or enter the storage room without permission from the teacher.
17. Do not remove chemicals, equipment, supplies, or animals from the science room without permission from the teacher.
18. Handle all glassware with care. Never pick up hot or broken glassware with your bare hands.
19. Dress properly – long hair must be tied back, no dangling jewelry, no loose or baggy clothing, and no sandals. Wear lab aprons when instructed.
20. Learn where the safety equipment is located, when it should be used, and who is allowed to use the equipment. Know where the exits are located and what do to in case of an emergency or fire drill.

Please note: No science student will participate in science activities until the student demonstrates their understanding of laboratory safety by getting a 100% on a safety test (they get to take it as many times as they need to get 100%) and a parent or guardian have acknowledged their understanding of these safety rules by signing the safety contract.

Unit Resources

Amoeba Sisters - General Lab Safety Lab Safety Rap