A big mystery for me? Lab safety. Like everyone else, I’ve gone through the training at both high school and college, but safeguarding students remains a key priority. I have often wondered how science teachers deal with lab safety issues. Often, reading a safety contract aloud does not always show whether students know what to do when something goes wrong. These free Lab Safety Certification activities (available in seven different languages) may give students a chance to practice those decisions before they begin laboratory work.
Choose the Right Track
The collection includes nine interactive modules for students in grades six through twelve. Students follow one of two tracks.
| Track | Focus | Award |
|---|---|---|
| Grades 6–8 | Lab rules, protective equipment, emergency tools, hazard labels, and unsafe conditions | Lab Safety Ranger |
| Grades 9–12 | Safety Data Sheets, GHS pictograms, chemical storage, compatibility, and procedure analysis | Lab Safety Specialist |
The middle school modules introduce common safety routines. Students:
- identify personal protective equipment,
- locate emergency equipment,
- interpret warning signs, and
- inspect a laboratory scene for hazards.
The high school track asks students to do more analysis. They read parts of a Safety Data Sheet, classify hazards, judge chemical compatibility, and critique unsafe procedures. Is this something you would find useful?
Ask Students to Prove It
Students do more than watch a video or click through slides. They sort, sequence, select, inspect, and explain. You could use these as small group activities, as well.
I like the short “prove it” responses built into the activities. A student may choose the correct answer. But then they have to explain why that response is safe. That gives you more useful evidence than a lucky guess on a multiple-choice question.
Each module provides immediate feedback, so students can correct misunderstandings while they work.
Earn a Certificate
Students who complete every module in their track unlock a printable certificate. They enter their name and a teacher-provided class code (teachers, you need to request the passcode), then print the certificate or save it as a PDF.
Please note that students do NOT need to create an account. Progress stays in the student’s browser instead of being uploaded to an online profile. That makes the activities easier to use with classroom computers, shared devices, or links posted in your learning management system.
Use It Before the First Lab
You might assign the full track before the first laboratory investigation, use the modules as stations, or revisit one activity before a higher-risk experiment. The certificate can also become part of a science notebook or digital portfolio.
These activities support required safety instruction, but they do not replace district training, signed safety contracts, or hands-on practice with emergency equipment.
Open the Lab Safety Certification collection and choose the Ranger or Specialist track for your students.