Lab 1: The Safety Lab

Introduction: Science class involves hands-on laboratory activities as often as possible to

help students reach a better understanding of the topics being studied. Some labs will
involve potentially hazardous chemicals and materials (potentially hazardous only if used
inappropriately.) There is no place in science class for unsafe use of materials. To help
you to be safe, we will discuss basic lab safety rules and the lab safety contract. This
activity contains safety guidelines to help you make informed decisions about your
behavior in science labs. Please read this contract carefully, have your parents read it,
and then both you and your parent(s) must sign it and return it to me.

Objective: Student will be able to describe the lab policies and safety procedures to be
followed while conducting a science lab.

Activity 1: Lab Safety Scenarios

In this activity, the students must read scenarios about students who are performing an
experiment. Unfortunately, these students do not know how to follow correct lab safety
rules. The students must read each scenario and discover each lab rule that was broken
and correct it so the students in the story are working safely.

Procedure

For each dangerous scenario listed below, describe:

 How each scenario could have been prevented
 How we should respond to minimize the harm
You may use the safety jumble reference sheet to help you. Some safety precautions or
responses may be used more than once.

Scenario Description Precautions Response

1. A student is working hard on a
chemistry lab experiment that
uses a strong acid. Halfway
through the lab, the student
gets hungry and starts eating a
bag of chips. When the student
licks their fingers, they start to
have a severe reaction.
2. During a chemistry experiment,
a student carefully pours and
unknown solution from a test
tube into a beaker. Another
student sneaks up behind them
and surprises their friend. The
student accidentally drops the
beaker on the floor, and pieces
of glass land on their sandaled
feet.
3. A student with long hair (or
loose clothing) is heating a
 solution over a Bunsen burner.
As the student leans over the
burner to reach for something,
their hair (or clothing) catches
fire.
4. A student is excitedly telling
their friend their plans for the
weekend, and is not listening to
the teacher’s lab instructions.
During the lab, the student
mixes two of the wrong
chemicals together and an
uncontrolled chemical reaction
occurs.
5. A student is in the middle of a
science experiment where they
have to boil a solution for a
long time. When the student
gets bored and wanders over to
talk with their friends, a
sweatshirt they left on the desk
near the hot plate catches fire.
6. A student is working on a lab
where they are trying to
identify an unknown substance.
The student decides to smell
the solution by taking a big
breath over the test tube. They
immediately start to cough and
their lungs are burning.
7. A student is rushing to finish
their chemistry lab. They
accidentally spill some acid on
the desk, and decide to clean it
up with a paper towel before
leaving. In the next class. A
student sits down at the desk
and starts to have a reaction to
the acid.
8. A student is adding small drops
of acid to a solution. They are
leaning in closely to count how
many drops of acid they are
adding. The acid splashes and
gets in their eyes.
9. A student is dissecting an
earthworm. During the
dissection, the sharp scalpel
slips and seriously cuts the
student’s finger.
10. A student is heating a test
tube that isn’t made of pyrex
 over a Bunsen burner. The test
tube explodes, sending shards
of glass and chemicals towards
a nearby student, who is
finished their lab and is not
wearing their safety goggles.

Activity 2 Create Your Own Safety Rules

Introduction:
This lab is designed to to review the scientific method steps previously learned. The
students are given a problem and are required to formulate a hypothesis, and make a
procedure using the scenario given. They must also note all of the safety rules that apply
to their experimental procedure. The idea is for the students to safely design an
experiment using the scientific method and safety rules that apply during the experiment.

Problem:
Ask the students if they have ever seen a carpet cleaner or laundry detergent commercial
where a person does a side by side comparison of two cleaners, and one magically works
while the other miserably fails. Tell them to design an experiment to determine which
carpet cleaner, if any, work to remove stains. However, they must use the scientific
method and plan safety rules that are approved by the teacher.

Learning Objectives:
Demonstrate safe practices during investigations
Demostrate mastery of the scientific method steps

Materials List:
___ Scenario
___ Scientifc Method Steps Chart

___ Safety Rules Chart

Procedure:
 1. State the problem on the board.
2. Students must write out a minimum of five safety rules pertinent to their specific
experiment.
3. Students write out their procedural plan for conducting the experiment
4. Teacher walks around to each lab group and check off on their experimental
procedures. Since this is a self-inquiry lab, it is basically student directed with
teacher guidance only if the students are stuck on a control variable, or something
of that nature.
5. When the students are done, have students share their experimental design and
safety lab rules.

Activity Closure and Assessment

Students should be able to identify after designing the experiment, any safety rules that
they found to be important, and what could happen if these safety rules were not
followed.

Designing a Lab and Safety Rules

Problem
Identify the problem.

Background Research
What do you already know?

Hypothesis
What do you predict will happen?

Testing Hypothesis/ Experiment

What supplies do you need?
What steps will you take?
Results and Analyzing Data
What Kind of data and questions do you need to determine which carpet cleaner work to
remove stains better?

Safety Rules
Identify after designing the experiment, any safety rules that you found to be important
 SCIENCE SAFETY LABORATORY SAFETY TEST

Name_______________________________________ Date___________________________
Class_________
1. Flammable materials, like alcohol, should never A. use a rag or paper towels.
be dispensed or used near B. pick up the end that looks cooler.
A. an open door. C. use tongs.
B. an open flame. D. pour cold water on it.
C. another student.
D. a sink.
10. You have been injured in the laboratory
2. If a laboratory fire erupts, immediately (cut, burn, etc.). First you should
A. notify your instructor. A. visit the school nurse after class.
B. run for the fire extinguisher. B. see a doctor after school.
C. throw water on the fire. C. tell the science instructor at once.
D. open the windows. D. apply first aid yourself.
3. Approved eye protection devices (such as
11. When gathering glassware and equipment
goggles) are worn in the laboratory
for an experiment, you should
A. to avoid eye strain.
A. read all directions carefully to know what
B. to improve your vision.
equipment is necessary.
C. only if you don’t have corrective glasses.
B. examine all glassware to check for chips
D. any time chemicals, heat or glassware are
or cracks.
used.
C. clean any glassware that appears dirty.
4. If you wear contact lenses in the school D. All of the above.
laboratory,
12. You want to place a piece of glass tubing
A. take them out before starting the lab.
into a rubber stopper after the tubing has been
B. you do not have to wear protective goggles.
fire polished and cooled. This is best done by
C. advise your science instructor that you wear
A. lubricating the tubing with water or
contact lenses.
glycerin.
D. keep the information to yourself.
B. using a towel or cotton gloves for
5. If you do not understand a direction or part of a protection.
lab procedure, you should C. twisting the tubing and stopper carefully.
A. figure it out as you do the lab. D. all of the above.
B. try several methods until something works.
13. Personal eyeglasses provide as much
C. ask the instructor before proceeding.
protection as
D. skip it and go on to the next part.
A. a face shield.
B. safety glasses.
6. After completing an experiment, all chemical wastes should
C. splashproof chemical goggles.
be
D. none of the above.
A. left at your lab station for the next class.
B. disposed of according to your instructor’s 14. Long hair in the laboratory must be
directions. A. cut short.
C. dumped in the sink. B. held away from the experiment with one
D. taken home. hand.
C. always neatly groomed.
7. If a lab experiment is not completed, you should
D. tied back or kept entirely out of the way
A. discuss the issue with your instructor.
with a hair band, hairpins, or other confining
B. sneak in after school and work alone.
device.
C. come in during lunch and finish while eating
lunch. 15. In a laboratory, the following should not be
D. make up some results. worn.
A. loose clothing.
8. You are heating a substance in a test tube. B. dangling jewelry.
Always point the open end of the tube C. sandals.
A. toward yourself. D. all of the above.
B. toward your lab partner.
C. toward another classmate. 16. The following footwear is best in the
D. away from all people. laboratory.
A. sandals
9. You are heating a piece of glass and now want B. open-toed shoes
to pick it up. You should C. closed-toed shoes
 D. shoes appropriate for the weather 19. If an acid is splashed on your skin, wash
at once with
17. Horseplay or practical jokes in the
A. soap.
laboratory are
B. oil.
A. always against the rules.
C. weak base.
B. okay.
D. plenty of water.
C. not dangerous.
D. okay if you are working alone. 20. When you finish working with chemicals,
biological specimens, and other lab
18. If a piece of equipment is not working
substances, always
properly, stop, turn it off, and tell
A. treat your hands with skin lotion.
A. the custodian.
B. wash your hands thoroughly with soap
B. your lab partner.
and water.
C. your best friend in the class.
C. wipe your hands on a towel.
D. the science instructor.
D. wipe your hands on your clothes.

SCIENCE SAFETY LABORATORY ANSWER KEY

1. Flammable materials, like alcohol, should never D. taken home.

be dispensed or used near
7. If a lab experiment is not completed, you should
A. an open door.
A. discuss the issue with your instructor.
B. an open flame.
B. sneak in after school and work alone.
C. another student.
C. come in during lunch and finish while eating
D. a sink.
lunch.
2. If a laboratory fire erupts, immediately D. make up some results.
A. notify your instructor.
B. run for the fire extinguisher. 8. You are heating a substance in a test tube.
C. throw water on the fire. Always point the open end of the tube
D. open the windows. A. toward yourself.
B. toward your lab partner.
3. Approved eye protection devices (such as C. toward another classmate.
goggles) are worn in the laboratory D. away from all people.
A. to avoid eye strain.
B. to improve your vision. 9. You are heating a piece of glass and now want
C. only if you don’t have corrective glasses. to pick it up. You should
D. any time chemicals, heat or glassware are A. use a rag or paper towels.
used. B. pick up the end that looks cooler.
4. If you wear contact lenses in the school C. use tongs.
laboratory, D. pour cold water on it.
A. take them out before starting the lab.
B. you do not have to wear protective goggles. 10. You have been injured in the laboratory (cut,
C. advise your science instructor that you wear burn, etc.). First you should
contact lenses. A. visit the school nurse after class.
D. keep the information to yourself. B. see a doctor after school.
C. tell the science instructor at once.
5. If you do not understand a direction or part of a D. apply first aid yourself.
lab procedure, you should
A. figure it out as you do the lab. 11. When gathering glassware and equipment for
B. try several methods until something works. an experiment, you should
C. ask the instructor before proceeding. A. read all directions carefully to know what
D. skip it and go on to the next part. equipment is necessary.
B. examine all glassware to check for chips
6. After completing an experiment, all chemical
or cracks.
wastes should be
C. clean any glassware that appears dirty.
A. left at your lab station for the next class.
D. All of the above.
B. disposed of according to your instructor’s
directions. 12. You want to place a piece of glass tubing into a
C. dumped in the sink. rubber stopper after the tubing has been fire
polished and cooled. This is best done by A. sandals
A. lubricating the tubing with water or B. open-toed shoes
glycerin. C. closed-toed shoes
B. using a towel or cotton gloves for D. shoes appropriate for the weather
protection.
17. Horseplay or practical jokes in the laboratory
C. twisting the tubing and stopper carefully.
are
D. all of the above.
A. always against the rules.
13. Personal eyeglasses provide as much B. okay.
protection as C. not dangerous.
A. a face shield. D. okay if you are working alone.
B. safety glasses.
18. If a piece of equipment is not working properly,
C. splashproof chemical goggles.
stop, turn it off, and tell
D. none of the above.
A. the custodian.
14. Long hair in the laboratory must be B. your lab partner.
A. cut short. C. your best friend in the class.
B. held away from the experiment with one D. the science instructor.
hand.
19. If an acid is splashed on your skin, wash at
C. always neatly groomed.
once with
D. tied back or kept entirely out of the way
A. soap.
with a hair band, hairpins, or other confining
B. oil.
device.
C. weak base.
15. In a laboratory, the following should not be D. plenty of water.
worn.
20. When you finish working with chemicals,
A. loose clothing.
biological specimens, and other lab
B. dangling jewelry.
substances, always
C. sandals.
A. treat your hands with skin lotion.
D. all of the above.
B. wash your hands thoroughly with soap and
16. The following footwear is best in the water.
laboratory. C. wipe your hands on a towel.
D. wipe your hands on your clothes
Name: Date: