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What's New - February 2006
Safety in the Science and Career and Technology Studies (CTS) Classroom
February's theme is Safety in the Science and CTS Classroom. The links below provide helpful information to create a safe teaching and learning environment while exploring concepts, developing skills, and engaging in practical learning experiences. Under the CTS and science sub-headings you will find safety resource manuals, checklists, bulletins and quizzes, workplace safety training resources, WHMIS information, links to the science and CTS curricula pages, and more.
- Disclaimer: The links below have been compiled from sources believed to be reliable and accurate, and to represent the current thinking on the subject. These resources are intended to serve as a starting point for planning good safety practices, but do not purport to specify the level of technical detail that some users may require, or to have anticipated every circumstance where safety may be a factor. C.O.A.T.S. thus cannot and does not assume responsibility for the validity or completeness of the information provided or for the consequences of its use. It can neither be assured that all necessary warnings and precautionary measures are contained herein, nor that additional information or measures may not be required due to particular exceptional circumstances. Users are solely responsible for the use of links below.
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Safety in the Science Classroom
LearnAlberta.ca
© 2003 Government of Alberta
http://www.learnalberta.ca
In addition to understanding the relevance of safe practices in the science classroom, it is important for students to appreciate how safety is addressed by science professionals as they work in the field. A search of the LearnAlberta.ca Web site using the keyword "safety" provides links to over 20 National Geographic Society video clips which highlight safety concerns, issues and practices in various scientific endeavours. For example, learn about what eye protection is needed when watching a solar eclipse, what safety precautions must be taken when studying bees in Panama, or what health and safety issues arise when toxic wastes are disposed of improperly. Note: These licensed video clips are accessible to all authorized users in Alberta. To obtain your userID and password, contact your local school or division jurisdictional technology contact, school authority, classroom teacher, or principal. Post-secondary users should contact their program heads for this information.
National Science Teachers' Association (NSTA) Pressroom
Copyright © 2005 NSTA
http://www.atasc.ab.ca/index.html
Ensuring classroom safety is a crucial task for teachers - especially for those who teach science. To help elementary and middle level teachers conduct science lessons in safe classroom environments, NSTA Press®, the publishing arm of the National Science Teachers Association, has introduced two new publications: Inquiring Safely: A Guide for Middle School Teachers and Safety in the Elementary Science Classroom, Third Edition, flipchart.
Inquiring Safely is an up-to-date, handy resource for teachers and administrators that emphasizes a preventative approach for a range of potential hazards. Written by experienced teachers, Inquiring Safely discusses safety concepts in the context of real classrooms, including middle school student behavior - and how teachers can help make students their "partners-in-safety" while exploring an inquiry-based science curriculum.
The Safety in the Elementary Science Classroom flipchart is an eye-catching safety chart that provides tips for elementary teachers on how to create a safe environment for their students and offers safety highlights at-a-glance. The flipchart style guide was designed to be posted in the classroom and covers essential safety topics such as fire protection and prevention; plants in the classroom; first aid; animals in the classroom; field trips; and the safe use of lab equipment and materials, including how to store and label science materials.
Both US publications can be purchased from the NSTA Science Store by calling 1-800-277-5300 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET weekdays.
Inquiring Safely: A Guide for Middle School Teachers
Item # PB166X2
ISBN 0-87355-201-6
$19.95 USD (NSTA members receive a 20% discount)
183 pages
Safety in the Elementary Science Classroom, Third Edition
Item # PB030X2
ISBN 0-87355-224-5
$12.95 USD (NSTA members receive a 20% discount)
22 pages
Safety in the Science Classroom
Copyright ©2005, the Crown in Right of Alberta, as represented by the Minister of Education.
http://www.education.gov.ab.ca/k_12/curriculum/bySubject/science/screport.pdf
One of the challenges in teaching science is to offer students hands-on activities that are educationally rewarding AND safe. This challenge is shared by those who plan and deliver science programs, those who design and maintain the learning environment, and those who select and prepare the materials used.
The goal of Safety in the Science Classroom (Alberta Education, 2005) is to provide a handy reference to science teachers, administrators and support staff that they can use to make sound decisions regarding science safety. The resource identifies a variety of safety concerns and suggests effective ways to eliminate or minimize them. It also identifies and summarizes legislative regulations that govern facility design, emergency preparedness, staff training, and the management, use and disposal of chemicals.
To order a print version of this resource online, visit http://www.education.gov.ab.ca/lrdb/detail.asp?id=1820
Copyright Year: 2005
ISBN: 0778542998
Publisher: Alberta Education
Distributor: Alberta Education
Resource Description: 245 pages, in a binder |
Curriculum Area: Science
Grades: K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
Authorization Status: Authorized Teaching
Date of Authorization: Friday, October 07, 2005 |
Available From: www.lrc.education.gov.ab.ca
Order No.: 618704
Approx. LRC Selling Price: $ 6.70
Science
© 2005 Government of Alberta
http://www.education.gov.ab.ca/k_12/curriculum/bySubject/science/
On field trips and in science labs and classrooms, students learn about the physical world, ecology and technology. Studying science also helps develop an understanding of the many applications of science in daily life. This page offers links to Alberta's Programs of Studies for each of the K-12 science courses. A review of the curriculum documents will help you identify the safety related learning outcomes unique to each science course. Other supporting resources are offered as well including annotated bibliographies, information about programs undergoing revision, the curriculum handbooks for parents and the curriculum summaries. Of particular interest related to this month's theme is the resource entitled, Safety in the Science Classroom (2005), which is described above.
Science Safety
Copyright © 1997, the Crown in Right of Manitoba as represented by the Minister of Education and Training
http://www.edu.gov.mb.ca/ks4/docs/support/scisafe/index.html
The teaching of science requires the active involvement of students in laboratory procedures. Safety guidelines
- support and encourage the investigative approach generally and laboratory instruction specifically,
- assist in the development of a safe teaching environment, and
- promote environmentally responsible practices.
The purpose of Science Safety, A Kindergarten to Senior 4 Resource Manual for Teachers, Schools, and School Divisions (Manitoba Education and Training, 1997) is to provide information to help educators - particularly classroom teachers - make sound decisions regarding science safety. This resource manual
- describes actions at the classroom, school, and divisional levels which can serve as starting points for the implementation of effective science safety procedures,
- identifies the responsibilities of the school board and superintendent, school administrators, school science safety officer, science teacher, and science student,
- describes the legal aspects of science safety,
- discusses safety topics specific to early, middle and senior years classrooms,
- offers WHMIS information and chemical storage and disposal information,
- discusses six hazard categories (i.e., corrosive, reactive, insidious, toxic, biological, and radiation),
- discusses accident prevention and safety management, and
- provides guidelines and standards for construction and renovation of science facilities in Manitoba schools.
Safety in the CTS Classroom
Alberta Human Resources and Employment (AHRE), Workplace Safety and Health
© 2005 Government of Alberta
http://www3.gov.ab.ca/hre/whs/
As part of the AHRE mission to foster safe and healthy workplaces, the Workplace Safety and Health portion of this Web site offers resources of particular interest to CTS teachers. For example, see the many publications linked from http://www3.gov.ab.ca/hre/whs/publications/index.asp including several safety-related booklets, bulletins, and manuals, as well as the Occupational Health and Safety Magazine published bimonthly.
Another example is the Work Safe Alberta: Information Sharing Network described below:
- Work Safe Alberta: Information Sharing Network
© 2004 Government of Alberta
http://www3.gov.ab.ca/hre/whs/network/
The Work Safe Alberta Information Sharing Network is a clearinghouse for workplace health and safety information products. A diverse range of products is available - from how-to bulletins and e-learning tools to training videos and courses. Although designed to help improve health and safety practices at the workplace, the resources offered on this site are of value in the CTS classroom.
The site offers information on various health and safety topics (e.g., First Aid (learn how to develop a first aid plan), Hearing / Sight (learn about guidelines for use of contact lenses in industry), New & Young Workers (get 7 tips for parents of young workers), Legislation (find out more about situations in which students are considered workers under Alberta's Occupational Health and Safety Act)). Have your students take any one of the several Work Safe e-learning quizzes at http://www3.gov.ab.ca/hre/whsquiz/wsa_quiz.asp from "developing a first aid plan" to "lifting and your back, some fresh ideas". The Web site also highlights health and safety best practices among local companies - great real-world examples for the classroom.
Alberta Learning Information Service
© 2005 Government of Alberta
http://www.alis.gov.ab.ca/main.asp
Alberta Learning Information Service (ALIS) is the provincial gateway for career, learning and employment information and services in Alberta, Canada. The site is provided through a provincial government partnership of Alberta Human Resources and Employment, Alberta Education, and Alberta Advanced Education.
The ALIS Web site provides information to help Albertans with career planning, post-secondary education and training, educational funding, job search, labour market trends, and workplace issues. A keyword search of the site using the word "safety" yielded several resources of value in the CTS classroom. A sample of these resources is listed below:
Career and Technology Studies
© 2005 Government of Alberta
http://www.education.gov.ab.ca/k_12/curriculum/bySubject/cts/
As described on this page, CTS is an optional program designed for Alberta's secondary school students. As a program of choice, CTS will help junior and senior high school students
- investigate career options and make effective career choices,
- use technology (tools, processes) effectively and efficiently,
- apply and reinforce learnings developed in other subject areas, and
- prepare for entry into the workplace or further learning.
This page offers links to the Programs of Studies for each of the 22 CTS strands. A review of the curriculum documents will help you identify the safety related learning outcomes unique to each strand.
Other supporting resources are offered as well including the CTS: Manual for Administrators, Counsellors and Teachers (June 1998). You can download the entire document at http://www.education.gov.ab.ca/k%5F12/curriculum/bySubject/cts/actman/entireact.pdf, however, the information specific to addressing health and safety in CTS can be found in Appendix 3 (see http://www.education.gov.ab.ca/k%5F12/curriculum/bySubject/cts/actman/appendix3.pdf). This appendix serves as a reference for identifying key issues and legislation related to health and safety in CTS learning environments. It is designed to assist teachers and school system administrators to:
- understand how safety is addressed in the CTS curriculum
- review present safety practices within CTS learning environments, on- and off-campus
- develop and maintain effective health and safety programs
- plan for the design and/or upgrading of CTS learning environments
- plan professional development and inservice activities related to health and safety.
Food Safety Network
© 2005 Doug Powell
http://www.foodsafetynetwork.ca/en/audience.php?a=1
The Food Safety Network (FSN) at the University of Guelph provides research, commentary, policy evaluation and public information on food safety issues from farm-to-fork. FSN is a national repository of food safety related information, providing an extensive number of services including consumer and student outreach, information research, online resources, collaborative projects, evaluation and analysis, and a capacity to address current and emerging food safety concerns. The section of the site that is devoted to students and educators provides factsheets (e.g., What is West Nile virus? How can I keep take-out food safe?, What are alcohol hand sanitizers?, What is mad cow disease (BSE)?, etc.), links and articles of value in the Foods and Agriculture strands.
Job Safety Skills Society
© 2002 Job Safety Skills Society & Mountain Brook New Media - All rights reserved.
http://www.jobsafetyskills.com/index.mgi
The Job Safety Skills Society (JSSS) is a not-for-profit organization conceived in 1991 and registered in Alberta in 1995. The JSSS is a partnership with educators, industry, government and the community. It was created to address the unacceptable number of workplace injuries and fatalities among young workers. With the help of the JobSafe program, each year hundreds of students are properly educated in job safety before they enter the workforce.
The goal of the JSSS is to make JobSafe available in every junior and senior high school and ensure every high school student successfully completes one or more of the JobSafe courses before they graduate high school.
Visit the JSSS web site to learn more about the JobSafe Training Program, see a demo, read their news archives, visit other workplace safety links, or request more information.
Important Note: To find more than 70 safety resources for both the CTS and science classroom including videos, posters, manuals, safety guides and more, perform a title search using the keyword "safety" on the Learning Resources Centre Web site at
http://www.lrc.education.gov.ab.ca/pro/resources/findares.htm.
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