7^th Grade Lab Procedures

 The following rules will apply to 7^th grade labs:

 Personal Safety

1.       Each student wears eye protection (goggles) when using any potentially hazardous (toxic, corrosive, reactive, sharp or irritating) materials. Failure to wear goggles until Mrs. Russell directs you to take them off will result in lab restrictions and grade reductions.

3.    If you and your lab partners do not understand how to execute lab procedures, ask Mrs. Russell.

4.     Long hair must be tied back during labs.  Please do not wear loose or expensive clothing on lab days.  Some chemical solutions can permanently stain clothing.

5.     No eating or drinking on lab days (not even water bottles).

    Lab Safety

1.  Follow Mrs. Russell's oral and written instructions before, during and after all laboratory  activities.

2.  Read an assigned investigation carefully before beginning a lab, noting all safety tips in the  student guide.

3.  Work deliberately and with purpose, but do not hurry.

4.  Keep your workspace clean and organized.

5.  Read labels carefully before taking anything from a bottle or container.

6.  Know what you are doing.  Be aware of what neighboring students are doing.

     Materials Safety

1.   All chemicals should be regarded as hazardous unless Mrs. Russell informs you otherwise.

2.  Never mix or heat chemicals unless you are directed to do so.

3.  When mixing concentrated acids and water, always pour acids into water slowly and      constantly.

4.  When observing the odor of any liquid, do not smell it directly.  Use your hand to fan the  odor to you.

5.  Never taste a chemical solution or touch chemicals with your hands unless you are instructed to do so.

6.  When heating a test tube, do not heat just one spot on the test tube.  do not point the open end at anyone.  Do not look directly into the test tube.

7.  Always allow ample time for cooling after materials have been heated.

8.  Dispose of materials as Mrs. Russell directed.

** ** Notify Mrs. Russell immediately of any spill, accident or  potentially hazardous situation.

** ** If any chemical is splashed on your skin or in your eyes, flood with water immediately, then tell Mrs. Russell.

 Consequences of not following safety rules:

1.      First, a student will receive a verbal warning.  If the conduct endangers a student or others  in the classroom, the verbal warning will not be issued and the student will be sent to the office.

2.     If a student does not comply with lab procedures despite having received a verbal warning,   a 101 will be issued and the his/her lab will receive zero points.  The student will not conduct  the following lab but will observe and take notes.

3.    Should further actions be necessary, Mr. Almy and the parents will join the discussion.

     Benefits of excellent lab conduct:

1.  The labs are completed successfully.

2.  Students will have the opportunity to make up their own experiments with the materials.

3.  Everyone learns and Mrs. Russell is not grumpy.