By Trilby
Middle schoolers are capable of amazing things in the science lab, but only when safety comes first. The tricky part? Keeping safety science rules short, simple, and sticky enough that students (and teacher) actually remember them beyond the first week.
Long lists of dos and don’ts may look impressive on paper, but in real life, the best lab rules are the ones that everyone can recall in the moment, when it matters most.
If you’re getting ready to teach lab safety or looking to simplify your classroom expectations, here’s how to write safety science rules that cover a lot of ground without overwhelming your students.
Start With 3–5 Core Lab Rules
You don’t need 20 different rules to have a safe classroom. Most safety issues can be prevented by focusing on a few big ideas. Here are my go-to lab rules that are easy to remember and apply to almost any scenario:
- Be kind and respectful to yourself, others, and all materials.
- Follow the teacher’s instructions.
- Stay on task and participate fully in class activities.
- Do not taste, touch, or smell any materials in the science lab unless you have the teacher’s permission.
- Report all spills, accidents, and emergencies to the teacher immediately.
These rules are short, specific, and flexible enough to apply whether students are handling chemicals, using tools, or even just working with paper and scissors during a STEM build.
Get Student Buy-In from the Start
Lab safety sticks better when students feel like they’re part of the process, not just following orders. One of the best ways to build buy-in is to involve students in the why behind each rule.
Instead of simply reading the rules to them, ask:
- “Why do you think this rule matters?”
- “What could happen if we skipped this one?”
- “Can you think of a time you’ve seen someone break a safety rule (in real life or on a show)? What happened?”
These kinds of conversations make safety feel more relevant and real. You can even have students help reword or illustrate the rules in their own voice for extra ownership.
When students feel like the rules belong to them (not just to the teacher), they’re more likely to follow them, remind each other, and stay safe in the science lab.
Make It Visual
Even if you review your safety science rules on day one, students need visual reminders. That’s why I post my core lab rules in a visible spot in the room and refer to them before every lab or hands-on activity.
If you don’t have lab tables or a traditional lab setup, no problem—these safety reminders still apply. They work whether students are working with microscopes, building cardboard towers, or investigating chemical reactions.
Grab Free Printable Science Lab Rules Posters
Want a ready-made set of lab rules posters that are clean, student-friendly, and editable? I’ve got you covered. I created a free resource with simple, flexible safety science rules you can use in any science classroom.
Here’s what’s included:
✔ Printable and digital science lab rules posters
✔ Editable template to match your classroom voice
✔ Clean, easy-to-read design for middle school students
You can grab the free download below… Just print, post, and you’re ready to go.
Review and Reinforce Throughout the Year
Safety isn’t a one-and-done lesson. I like to revisit our core rules every time we do something new in class.
Here are a few quick ways to keep safety top of mind:
- Ask students which rules apply before starting an activity
- Set goals around following rules: “How will we show we are following the teacher’s instructions today?”
- Add a safety exit ticket: “What’s one rule we demonstrated well today?”
- Keep posters visible and refer to them out loud when needed
You don’t need to re-teach the rules every week, but keeping them part of your classroom conversations helps make them stick.
Ready to Go Beyond Posters?
Keeping students safe in the lab goes beyond posting rules—it’s about engaging them in understanding and applying those rules every time they step into a hands-on activity.
If you’re looking for an easy, low-prep way to reinforce lab safety all year long, I’ve got you covered. My Science Safety Activities Bundle is designed to help students remember, discuss, and demonstrate safe practices in fun, meaningful ways.
✅ You’ll get an editable Lab Safety Contract,
✅ A quick-check Safety Quiz,
✅ And a printable Science Safety License to award your new lab experts.
It’s the perfect companion to your safety rules posters and a great way to make lab expectations stick from day one.
Start strong and set the tone for safe, confident science learning all year long!
