By Trilby
Let’s be real. Science safety lab rules might not be the most thrilling part of science class, but they’re one of the most important. And in middle school, where curiosity sometimes comes with a side of chaos, setting clear expectations for lab behavior is essential.
Short on time? Grab done-for-you science safety activities perfect for your middle school science class!
The good news? Teaching science safety rules doesn’t have to feel like reading the terms and conditions. With the right mix of structure, discussion, and student involvement, you can make safety meaningful and memorable.
Here’s how I teach science lab rules at the beginning of the year and how I keep it engaging without turning it into a lecture.
Start With the Why
Before jumping into a list of rules, I like to start with a few questions:
- Why do we have science safety rules?
- What kinds of tools or materials might we use this year?
- What could go wrong in a lab?
This sparks curiosity and leads to real conversations about the responsibility that comes with doing hands-on investigations. I sometimes show a short video or share a quick story about a real or fictionalized lab accident. Not to scare them, but to show how important it is to follow procedures.
When students understand the why, they’re much more likely to respect the how.
Keep Science Rules Simple and Stick to Big Ideas
When it comes to lab safety, less is more. I’ve found that keeping rules short, general, and easy to remember makes it much easier for students to follow them and for me to reinforce them consistently.
Instead of handing students a long list of do’s and don’ts, I group expectations into just a few big ideas:
- Be respectful.
- Follow instructions.
- Stay on task and participate.
- Don’t touch or taste anything unless told to.
- Report problems right away.
This approach makes the rules feel more manageable and less overwhelming. To help them stick, I bring each rule to life with visuals or quick examples. For instance, students love finding everything that’s wrong in a “chaotic lab” comic strip or pointing out unsafe behaviors in photos. These quick moments of visual thinking help students connect abstract rules to real-life situations and remember them when it counts.
Add Student Engagement and Practice with Lab Safety Scenarios
One of the most effective ways to help lab safety rules stick is by giving students a chance to apply them. I use a card sort activity where students read short safety scenarios and decide whether the behavior is safe or unsafe. For example:
- A student brings their own snack to class and eats it during notes.
- A student knocks over a container of marbles and immediately alerts the teacher and asks for directions for cleaning up the spill.
- The teacher tells the class to wear goggles to protect their eyes, and a student decides not to bother with them because she has done this experiment at home before without any issues.
Once they’ve sorted the cards, we review the answers together and talk through the reasoning.
To add an extra layer of understanding and engagement, I follow up with a lab safety color-by-number activity. Students identify which rule is being demonstrated or broken in each scenario. Then they color in a mandala to reveal an interesting picture. It’s a fun, low-stakes way to reinforce the rules while helping students make real connections between safety expectations and classroom behavior. Plus, it gives you a quick check for understanding without feeling like a formal quiz.
These hands-on activities help students think critically about real lab situations, and the conversations they spark are often more memorable than any lecture or slideshow.
Make the Science Safety Contract Count
The lab safety contract isn’t just paperwork. It’s a key part of building a safe and respectful science classroom. I walk students through each section and explain what it looks like in real-life lab situations. We pause to discuss examples, clear up any confusing language, and talk about why each rule matters.
Once students understand the expectations, they take a short lab safety quiz to show what they’ve learned. Then, both students and families sign the contract to confirm their commitment to following the rules.
To wrap it all up and celebrate their understanding, I award each student a “Science Safety Expert” license. This mini certificate or badge adds a bit of fun, gives them a sense of ownership, and sets the tone for taking lab safety seriously all year long. I also keep the signed contracts on file and revisit them as needed throughout the year.
Want to Save Prep Time?
If you’re looking for a ready-to-go way to teach lab safety, I’ve got a beginning-of-year science safety lab rules resource in my TPT shop. It’s designed for middle school and includes everything you need to make your first safety lesson easy, engaging, and effective.
- A student-friendly science safety contract
- Lab safety rules posters
- Lab scenario task cards for class discussion or role-play
- A color-by-number review activity
- Lab safety quiz
- No-prep print and digital formats for flexible teaching
You can grab it here on TpT and have your lab safety plans ready in minutes.
Keep Lab Safety Alive All Year
It’s easy to treat lab safety as a one-time lesson and move on. But that’s when students start forgetting the basics.
Here are a few ways to incorporate science safety lab rules throughout the year:
- Before each lab, ask “How will we be safe today?”
- Keep a laminated mini-poster of safety rules at each lab station
- Assign a “Safety Captain” in each group to check goggles, clean-up, and tool use
- Add a reflection question like “What went well in today’s lab?” or “What safety steps did we follow?”
You don’t need to spend a ton of time reviewing. A quick check-in can keep safety fresh without slowing things down.
Building a Safety-First Science Classroom
Teaching science lab safety doesn’t have to be boring. With the right mix of student interaction, real-world reasoning, and consistent follow-up, you’ll build a classroom culture that values curiosity and safety from day one.
Start strong with a solid foundation, and if you want to save prep time, check out my science safety resource to help you get there faster.
