Context:

This artifact was created during the Fall semester of 2007 under the advisement of Mr. Jeff Goodman.  It was created in GS 4401: Science and Science Teaching in the Elementary School.  The survey was based on information from Mrs. Janet Barr, a sixth grade teacher at Blue Ridge Elementary School.

Impact:

The survey was created to analyze student safety in the classroom.  It covers electrical outlets, fire and emergency plans, lab safety, and student health.

It is important to know the areas of possible danger in the classroom and to be prepared for anything that can happen.  Being aware is the only way that I can keep my students safe.  The survey allows me to anticipate possible problems and make sure that there are adequate preparations for possible emergencies. 

Alignment:

This artifact allows me to meet the following NCDPI standards:

Standard 17, Indicator 1:  The survey allows me to be aware of student safety in the classroom.  It gave me ideas of things that I need to include in my lab instruction to make sure that all students will be safe.  Through this survey I am able to obtain a list of things that I will need to address in classroom safety such as electric outlets, chemicals and information sheets, and first aid kits. 

Standard 17, Indicator 2:  This artifact allows me to have a resource for checking the safety of different chemicals.  A website is given that gives properties, dangers, and appropriate uses of the different chemicals.  It also includes chemical cleaners, which I had previously not considered a dangerous classroom chemical.  Through completing this survey I am also more aware of where to place science activities.  I know that they need to be in a convenient place that is near an electric outlet if necessary.  However, I need to be sure that the science activity is near an outlet that is GCI protected to further protect students from the dangers of electricity.

Standard 17, Indicator 3:  By completing this survey I am more knowledgeable and more able to comply with the Safety Laws, Codes, and Standards for science.  The survey has introduced me to even more areas of safety that I need to be aware of.

Standard 17, Indicator 4: By being aware of the topics covered in the science safety survey I will be more able to model safe behavior.  I will also be able to address each of the areas from the survey to the class.

Standard 17, Indicator 5:  By completing this survey I am more aware of areas that are lacking in preparation and knowledge.  For example, the fire extinguisher is not in the classroom and if there is a fire near the door, the fire extinguisher will be blocked.  There are many things that need to be changed through long and short term plans including fire safety, availability of chemical information sheets, and availability of poison control numbers.