Science Safety
Elementary Science Safety |
SeconDary Science Safety |
Background: During the 2014-2015 school year, elementary science safety leads were asked to meet approximately one time per month. During this time, the team developed a sustainable plan for delivering science safety information pertinent to elementary teachers. The information presented by the Council of State Science Supervisors was found to be particularly helpful. However, the group wanted to be able to share it in a way that both shared the importance of science safety while also being flexible enough to be shared during a staff meeting, in a flipped version, at team planning sessions, etc. Therefore, a series of short PowerPoint presentations were created around the topics presented in the CCSS Science and Safety: It's Elementary document. The plan is to use these on a monthly basis as the school and the science safety contact find beneficial. The minimum expectation is that one topic is shared or reviewed monthly during 2015-2016. Then, beginning in 2016-2107, for returning staff, they may individually review the presentations and information and sign off that they understand the science safety guidelines as they pertain to elementary schools. New staff should always be presented this information in the monthly format to ensure understanding.
Sign In Roster (this is a sample, others may be used): A copy should be kept in the school safety notebook. If CEUs are being requested, the request must be made by the school to Professional Development Services in advance of offering the Science Safety professional development. Opening Elementary Science Safety Memo (2015-2016) Elementary Science Safety Yearly Sign In Sheet (documentation)
This document is a simple form that can be used to have teachers sign off that they have attended (or viewed) the elementary science safety topics for the current school year. These could be done as part of monthly meetings or once teachers have seen these, they could review them independently and sign off that they understand the information. The order of topics is up to the school science safety contact. |
August 2016 Science Safety Agenda
Classroom Pets: At any grade reptiles can be allowed in the classroom as long as the following steps are taken to assure the safety of the animal and the students. 1.The animal needs to be in an appropriate enclosure with a locking or securely fastened door so that the students will not be able to open easily. 2.Their needs to be a plan in place to take care of the animal during the weekends and holidays. 3.Reptiles carry certain parasites and their wastes also may contain infectious agents so if the students handle the animal under direct supervision must wash their hands every time. No student should be handling animals without direct supervision. 4.Waste must be double bagged and labeled for the custodial staff to dispose of. 5.All parents should be alerted that the reptile will be in the classroom and a sign must be posted outside of the classroom that the reptile is inside. 6.A sign must be posted on or by the cage “ Do not unlock this cage or handle the animal without teacher’s supervision” 7.NO experiments are permitted to take place with any vertebrates without first getting approval from a licensed professional (veterinarians) Form: Animals in the Classroom Approval: OCS Chemical Hygiene Plan |
Science Safety Elementary from Council of State Science Supervisors:
This document is the original Science Safety: It's Elementary as prepared by the Council of State Science Supervisors Elementary Standards for Science (Visual)
The following document shares the content by 9-weeks for K-5. This is based on the Onslow County School Standards Division Documents. This may help with vertical discussions of what safety gear is needed during a nine-weeks and which grade levels may need it. This can be a module of the science safety process. It can also be done each nine-weeks (making up four modules). From this point down are the presentations based on K-5 topics for science safety. There is no set order to the presentations and each can stand alone.
Other ResourcesThe items below have been shared by science safety contracts at Onslow County Schools. These are resources that they created or found which were useful. Please feel free to use as you find value. If you have resources to share, please email them to [email protected] and we will be glad to post them. We are all better when we work together.
Hand Sanitizer Clarification:
Question: Can a teacher have hand sanitizer in the classroom? Answer (Dusty Rhodes, CHO): The classroom needs an MSDS/SDS sheet on file at the school and in Dusty Rhodes' office. Hand sanitizer is considered a chemical and has been used as a drug before. Teacher must monitor its use and make sure there are no allergic reactions. |