Setting Up Your Classroom Science Lab

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Setting Up Your Classroom Science Lab

Setting the Stage for “Lab” Safety

In elementary classrooms your “lab” is probably just your classroom and is actually the time during the week that you do hands-on science experiments. It is still important to set up routines (that involve process and safety) to make sure that the experiments go well and that clean up is easier.

Create a Science Lab Safety Poster

  •  “Millie’s Safety Tips” example that you can print and use
  •   Most Important Lab Rules
    • Scientists follow directions carefully (listen, read, ask if you are not sure)
    • Scientists wear protective gear like gloves and goggles
    • Scientists move carefully in the lab room. No running. Look then go when turning
    • Scientists waft when testing a smell — no direct sniffs!
    • Scientists never eat or drink in STEM lab
    • Scientists clean up and put back lab materials
    • Scientists wash hands when finished in STEM lab
    • Optional: Cabinets and drawers are only for adults.  Never work in science lab without a teacher or adult.

Review & Practice Lab Safety

  • Activity 1: Draw a scientist in their notebook and label 4 safety rules the scientist is following.
  • Activity 2: Try our Mystery Stations Activity to Practice Safety Rules 
  • Activity 3: Scientists at Work- Show students images/video of scientists in the lab. Discuss how the scientists/engineers are keeping safe.

Equipment & Tools

Lab activity: Lab Tool Stations – Introduce students to the tools and equipment you’ll use this year have students rotate through stations to complete explore the material. Examples include:

  • Goggles/gloves
  • Sink for rinsing
  • Droppers/pipettes
  • Ruler/measure of size
  • Weight/ measure of mass
  • Volume/measure of liquid
  • Hand lenses/microscopes
  • Forceps/tweezers
  • Thermometer
  • Timer

Teamwork: Safety Lab Roles    

Lab roles help students practice skills such as observing, following steps, collecting data, making meaning. Rotate roles throughout the year so everyone will get a turn at each job.

Examples of roles for each lab team member:

  • Time keeper (uses timer, keeps track of progress and time remaining)
  • Directions tracker (makes sure team follows directions & investigation steps)
  • Materials manager (gets and returns supplies needed for activity)
  • Technician (does measurements, uses measurement tools)
  • Data manager (records data, makes sure all team members record key information in their science notebooks or worksheets)

Why Each Team Member Needs a Lab Role

  • Everyone participates and has a responsibility
  • Roles helps the whole group to accomplish something together
  • Helps the group not to forget a step or overlook something
  • To keep the lab session on time
  • Students become familiar practicing various skills

Lab Activity: Reviewing Lab Team Roles

  • Activity 1: Prepare a poster or Lab Job cards. Discuss each role, and why it is important for everyone in the lab group to have a special responsibility.
  • Activity 2: Practice roles with our Color Changing Milk Activity

 

 

 

Community Resources for Science
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Berkeley, CA 94702

 

Phone: (510) 527-5212
Fax: (510) 527-5216
Email: community@crscience.org
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The mission of CRS is to empower teachers and STEM professionals serving schools in historically marginalized communities to activate TK-8 students’ curiosity about the world, foster critical thinking, and inspire children to imagine future career pathways. We envision a community of educators, scientists, families and partners working together to build school cultures that equip all children to explore the world around them and build the skills needed to become innovators, problem solvers, environmental stewards, life-long learners and leaders. CRS leads a dynamic network, fostering relationships and collaborations that leverage expertise and resources to transform science teaching and learning toward greater equity, opportunity, and success for all students.

 

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