Episode 4: Inside the Unit: Lab Safety & First Lab Days- How I Teach Procedures, Set Safety Norms, and Start Labs with Confidence

🎧 Episode 4 – Inside the Unit: Lab Safety & First Lab Day

How I Teach Procedures, Set Safety Norms, and Start Labs with Confidence

Show Notes:

Labs are where the magic happens in Chemistry — but only when students understand the importance of safety, expectations, and responsibility. In this episode of The Confident Chemistry Teacher Podcast, I'm walking you through exactly how I set the tone for a safe, engaging, and well-run lab experience from the very beginning of the school year. Whether you're a first-year teacher or a seasoned pro looking to streamline your systems, you'll walk away with concrete ideas you can implement right away.

We’ll cover:

✅ My Top 10 Lab Safety Rules (and where to get the poster!)

🧪 Why I always start the year with the Flinn Safety Contract 

👩‍🔬  3 classroom jobs that directly support lab safety

🔍 How I use the Safety First POGIL to build routines and introduce group roles

🧰 A hands-on lab equipment intro activity students actually enjoy

🔄 Lab safety routines that stick all year long

🟠 Why the Penny Lab is my favorite first lab — and how it ties into your entire year

💡 BONUS: My plan to add student lab reflections this year (and how they can help AP Chem kids prep for the exam)

Whether you’re planning your first lab or your fifteenth year of lab safety, this episode will help you build systems that support both curiosity and caution — all year long.

📝 Links & Resources Mentioned:

Top 10 Lab Safety Rules Printable Poster https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1xsFwjMrN0VINNWQb0n_QKFpfT5CAXEdlcEoqXf8q1F0/copy

Flinn Scientific Safety Contract https://www.flinnsci.com/api/library/download/80efae9513b548d6999c31d38ac36abe?srsltid=AfmBOoqbmoiYpTUvcCdR5KsHSWQj8xGvL88Q4DygI-TR5tS5pnqBC6kF

Student Lab Reflection Sheet https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1Veof8ZT_W8_2Yh0HLNq0UV8dGR_6Fs6iMjHGRJsDu7M/copy