Better Practices for Safer STEM Learning Environments
Tyler S. Love, Ph.D. Invited Talk: Purdue University – 9/8/16
Safer Instruction for Students with Disabilities 1. Be aware and follow all federal/state/local laws. 2. Students with Disabilities always require a duty of care regardless of age. Pennsylvania 3. 4.
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Modifications should not impede the safety or learning of other students. Don’t make any changes that could alter the safety of a tool or a machine. Consult your school safety compliance officer or the manufacturer to have them make the changes and assume the liability. Provide demonstrations and always help students even if they have an aide. Read the test questions to students while showing them the parts of the tool/machine. This serves as a discussion for them to express their answers. If needed, request additional support in writing to your school’s special education supervisor. Using different color-coded shapes on machines and chemicals can often be helpful to highlight areas of danger, caution, and operation for students. Work with your school’s special education department to modify and administer safety tests for specific students and their disability.
Disclaimer: This talk and handout are not intended to replace advice from competent legal counsel. They merely present recommendations for safer STEM education practices.
FREE Materials & Resources for SAFER Instruction: Tort Liability 2 Case Law 3-4 Resources 5 • Pennsylvania K-12 Science and T&E Lab Safety Guide Methods to manage and Cases involving STEM Free safety resources are • http://www.teeap.org/publications/safety/PDE_safety_guide.pdf 1. All occupants must wear appropriate defend against tort liability education laboratory listed. • OSHA eye protection at all times as are displayed in this accidents in P-12 and • https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/handpowertools/index.html higher education are instructed by the teacher when section. • Free T&E safety posters and tests presented. working in the lab. • www.TechEd101.com • ITEEA Supervision and Leadership: Online Tool & Machine Videos 2. Maintain a clean and organized lab. • http://iteea-csl.org/pages/safetywebsite.html 3. Always model safety. • Maryland T&E Facilities Guidelines 4. Always enforce safety. • https://www.umes.edu/Tech/TechnologyEducationFacilitiesGuidelines2 5. Display proper safety posters/signs 006.pdf near tools and equipment. • Virginia Tech Engineering Tool and Machine Safety Tests • http://www.alce.vt.edu/teacher-resources/ 6. Collaborate with other safety experts • NSTA Science Safety Portal (ex. school solicitors, administrators, • http://www.nsta.org/portals/safety.aspx state supervisor, science educators). • Flinn Scientific Inc. 7. Don’t accept teaching assignments • http://labsafety.flinnsci.com/Home.aspx • Case Law for which you’re not professionally • http://labsafety.flinnsci.com/Assets/Documents/Science%20Classroo prepared. m%20Safety%20Court%20Cases.pdf Keep on file: • Safety Courses • http://labsafety.flinnsci.com/CourseDetails.aspx?CourseCode=SCSC 8. Evidence of lab safety training. • Maryland State Dept. of Ed Online Science Ed Safety Manual 9. Student and parent signed safety • http://mdk12.org/instruction/curriculum/science/safety/ acknowledge forms. • Love, T. S. (2014). Safety and Liability in STEM Education Laboratories 10. Safety tests: 100% passing score. • http://www.iteea.org/File.aspx?id=86487&v=52ffd40f • NSTA Safety Advisory Board White Paper. (2016, March). Safety and the next 11. Dated safety lesson plans. generation science standards. Retrieved from 12. Student attendance during safety • https://www.nsta.org/docs/SafetyAndNGSS.pdf lessons. • Roy, K. (2009). The Safety Legal Paper Trail. Science Teacher, 76(2), 12-13. • Toglia, T. V. (2009). Keeping it safe: Safety and liability advice for CTE 13. Dated equipment inspections and programs. Tech Directions, 68(6), 17-21. maintenance invoices. • Haynie, W. J., III. (2008). Are we compromising safety in the preparation 14. Dated department meeting agendas of technology education teachers? Journal of Technology Education, where safety topics were discussed. 19(2), 94-98.
Safety Recommendations:
Better Practices for Safer STEM Learning Environments
Innovative Strategies for Teaching Safety Strategies for Teachers: 1. Safety Picture Warm Up a. FunnySafety.com b. Analyze safety, make personal connection 2. Case Studies a. Court Cases b. Realistic scenarios, personal experiences 3. Card Sort Activity a. Involve entire class b. Assess prior knowledge 4. Teaching in Reverse a. Requires student attention & input 5. Lab Inspection Report a. Does not replace instructor’s inspections! 6. Posters/Videos/Presentations a. Ensure information is accurate!
Tyler S. Love, Ph.D. Invited Talk: Purdue University – 9/8/16
Love, T. S. (2015). Innovative strategies for more engaging safety instruction. The Technology and Engineering Teacher, 75(3), 26-32.
ITEEA’s Revised Safety Book: Designing Safer Learning Environments for Integrative STEM Education Available from the ITEEA online store at: http://iteea.org/10/STEMProducts/77542.aspx Book Contents: Introduction -The Safety Systems Approach to Safety Section 1 -Environmental Factors (lighting, sound, etc.) Section 2 -Human Factors (Cognitive, Psychomotor, Affective, Safety Attitudes, Disabilities) Section 3 -Engineering Tools and Equipment, Safety Zones, Guards Section 4 -Processes (Casting/Molding, Forming, Separating, Assembling Finishing) Section 5 -Materials (Rigid and Flexible, Liquids, Hazardous Materials, Disposal) Section 6 -Outside Influences (OSHA, School Administration, Laws, Liability) Section 7 -Feedback (Student Activities and Forms) Sections 8-12 -Classroom Applications/Activities in Communication, Manufacturing, Transportation, Construction, and Research
Appendices -Engineering Tool and Machine Safety Posters and Tests -Accident, Safety Inspection, Safety Acknowledgement Forms -First Aid Procedures -Free Local and National Resources -Glossary of Safety Terms
Author’s Contact Info: Tyler S. Love, Ph.D. Coordinator/Assistant Professor T&E Education University of Maryland Eastern Shore
[email protected]
Ken Roy, Ph.D. NSTA Chief Safety Consultant Glastonbury Public Schools, CT
[email protected]
