Lesson Plan
Be a Lab Safety Hero
Students will learn and apply six essential lab safety rules by discussing a safety poster, evaluating scenarios, and completing a sorting activity.
Teaching clear lab safety practices helps 5th graders conduct experiments responsibly, prevents accidents, and builds confidence for future science learning.
Audience
5th Grade
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Interactive discussion with hands-on scenario analysis
Materials
- Lab Safety Rules Poster, - Safety Scenario Cards, - Personal Protective Equipment Images, - Lab Safety Sorting Worksheet, - Whiteboard and Markers, and - Timer or Stopwatch
Prep
Prepare and Review Materials
10 minutes
- Print and post the Lab Safety Rules Poster where all students can see it
- Print and cut out the Safety Scenario Cards for small groups
- Assemble the Personal Protective Equipment Images for display
- Load the Lab Safety Sorting Worksheet for each student (digital or print)
- Test your timer or stopwatch function
Step 1
Hook: Safety Hero Introduction
5 minutes
- Greet students and introduce the concept of being a “Lab Safety Hero”
- Ask: “Why do scientists need rules in the lab?”
- Briefly review one or two examples of lab accidents to highlight importance
- Point to the Lab Safety Rules Poster and say you’ll explore all six rules together
Step 2
Explore: Safety Rules Presentation
8 minutes
- Review each rule on the Lab Safety Rules Poster: goggles, gloves, no eating/drinking, no horseplay, report spills, read instructions
- For each rule, show corresponding Personal Protective Equipment Images or examples
- Ask students to give real-life examples or reasons why each rule matters
Step 3
Activity: Scenario Card Challenge
10 minutes
- Divide class into small groups and give each group a set of Safety Scenario Cards
- Instruct groups to read each card and decide which safety rule applies
- Groups hold up the rule number or name once agreed
- Debrief as a class: ask one group to share their reasoning for each scenario
Step 4
Practice: Safety Sorting Worksheet
5 minutes
- Distribute the Lab Safety Sorting Worksheet to each student
- Students sort items/actions into “Safe” or “Unsafe” columns
- Circulate to provide support and check for understanding
Step 5
Wrap-Up & Assessment
2 minutes
- Quickly review the six rules by pointing at the poster and calling on volunteers
- Ask: “What is one new thing you’ll remember when we do our next experiment?”
- Collect worksheets or have students submit digitally for review
Slide Deck
Be a Lab Safety Hero
Tier 1 Science Lesson • 5th Grade • 30 Minutes
Welcome everyone! Today we become Lab Safety Heroes.
Say: “Our goal is to learn the rules that keep us safe when doing science experiments.”
Lesson Objectives
• Learn six essential lab safety rules
• Apply rules to real‐life scenarios
• Complete a sorting activity to reinforce safe vs. unsafe actions
Point to each objective as you read. Emphasize why each matters for safety.
Lab Safety Rules
- Wear goggles
- Wear gloves
- No eating or drinking
- No horseplay
- Report spills immediately
- Read all instructions
Display the Lab Safety Rules Poster.
Briefly introduce each rule and ask for a quick example.
Activity: Scenario Card Challenge
- In groups, read each scenario card.
- Decide which lab safety rule applies.
- Hold up the rule number or name when you agree.
- We’ll debrief each scenario as a class.
Divide students into small groups and hand out Safety Scenario Cards.
Set timer for 8–10 minutes. Circulate, prompt groups to explain their choices.
Practice: Safety Sorting Worksheet
• Sort each item or action into “Safe” or “Unsafe” columns.
• You have 5 minutes to complete your worksheet.
Distribute the Lab Safety Sorting Worksheet.
Remind students to work independently and ask questions if unsure.
Wrap-Up & Reflection
• Quick review of all six rules
• Reflection: One new safety takeaway
Call on volunteers to name each rule as you point on the poster.
Ask: “What’s one new thing you’ll remember next time we experiment?”
Collect worksheets or have students submit digitally.
Worksheet
Lab Safety Sorting Worksheet
Student Name: _________________________ Date: ____________
Instructions
Write Safe or Unsafe next to each action below. Then explain why it’s safe or unsafe.
- Putting on safety goggles before starting an experiment.
Answer: ____________ - Drinking soda at your lab station.
Answer: ____________ - Reading all instructions before beginning.
Answer: ____________ - Leaving a chemical spill on the table without telling the teacher.
Answer: ____________ - Wearing gloves when handling unknown substances.
Answer: ____________ - Running around or horseplay near lab equipment.
Answer: ____________ - Tying back long hair and securing loose clothing.
Answer: ____________ - Touching a hot beaker with bare hands.
Answer: ____________ - Washing your hands after completing the experiment.
Answer: ____________ - Reporting broken glass or cracked equipment immediately.
Answer: ____________
Reflection
Choose one unsafe action from above. Explain why it is unsafe and what you should do instead:
Answer:
Reading
Lab Safety Rules Poster
Be a Lab Safety Hero
Follow these rules every time you step into the science lab. They keep you and your classmates safe and help experiments go smoothly!
1. Wear Safety Goggles
Protect your eyes from spills, splashes, and flying particles. Always put on your goggles before handling any chemicals or using heat sources.
2. Wear Gloves
Gloves keep your hands safe from harmful substances and help keep experiments clean. Choose the right gloves for each activity and replace them if they tear or get dirty.
3. No Eating or Drinking
Food and drinks can mix with lab chemicals and cause accidents. Never bring snacks or beverages to your lab table.
4. No Horseplay
Running, shouting, or roughhousing can lead to spills and broken equipment. Always walk, use an indoor voice, and “keep your science safe.”
5. Report Spills Immediately
If something spills or breaks, tell your teacher right away. Quick clean-up prevents slips, chemical hazards, and injuries.
6. Read All Instructions
Before you start, read every step of the experiment. Knowing what to do helps prevent mistakes and keeps you and your classmates safe.
Remember: A true Lab Safety Hero follows these six rules every time they do science!
Activity
Safety Scenario Cards
Instructions for Teachers
- Print and cut along the dotted lines to create individual scenario cards.
- Distribute one or two cards to each small group.
- Students read their scenario silently, discuss which lab safety rule applies, then hold up or announce the rule number or name.
- After all groups have shared, reveal the answer key and discuss any questions.
Card 1
Mia mixes chemicals without wearing safety goggles. A splash of solution lands near her eye.
Card 2
Jamal heats a liquid in a test tube without putting on goggles. Hot liquid bubbles up and splashes.
Card 3
Avery reaches into a tray of unknown substances with bare hands and feels a burning sensation.
Card 4
Leo handles a beaker of cleaning solution but doesn’t wear gloves and gets irritated skin.
Card 5
Sofia eats a granola bar at her lab station while measuring powders.
Card 6
Ethan sips his soda from a bottle next to open chemical containers.
Card 7
Zara and Chris toss paper towels around and knock over a flask of liquid.
Card 8
Ben runs between tables during an experiment and bumps into Sam’s setup.
Card 9
Olivia spills a colored liquid on the table but cleans it up before telling the teacher.
Card 10
Noah notices a cracked beaker on the shelf but decides not to report it.
Card 11
Lily starts pouring solutions without reading the written procedure and mixes them in the wrong order.
Card 12
Carlos reads each step of the experiment carefully before beginning and follows them exactly.
Teacher Answer Key
1 & 2: Rule 1 – Wear Safety Goggles
3 & 4: Rule 2 – Wear Gloves
5 & 6: Rule 3 – No Eating or Drinking
7 & 8: Rule 4 – No Horseplay
9 & 10: Rule 5 – Report Spills or Broken Equipment Immediately
11 & 12: Rule 6 – Read All Instructions
Script
Lab Safety Hero Script
Hook: Safety Hero Introduction (5 minutes)
Teacher: "Good morning, 5th-grade scientists! Today, you’re not just scientists—you’re Lab Safety Heroes!"
Teacher: "Why do you think scientists need rules when they work in a lab?"
(Pause and wait for student responses)
Possible follow-ups:
• "That’s right—rules keep us safe and help experiments go smoothly!"
• "Great idea—without rules, someone could get hurt or damage equipment."
Teacher: "Imagine mixing chemicals without any protection. What could go wrong?"
(Invite 1–2 volunteers to share; affirm their ideas.)
Teacher: "To help us stay safe, we have six golden rules. Let’s explore them together on our Lab Safety Rules Poster!"
Explore: Safety Rules Presentation (8 minutes)
Teacher: "Rule #1: Wear Safety Goggles."
Show the goggles image from Personal Protective Equipment Images.
Teacher: "Goggles protect our eyes from splashes and flying bits. Can someone give me an example of when you’d need your goggles?"
(Listen, then respond: “Absolutely—that’s when you heat liquids.”)
Teacher: "Rule #2: Wear Gloves."
Display the glove image.
Teacher: "Gloves keep your hands safe from chemicals. Who can tell me why clean gloves matter?"
(Follow up: “Yes—dirty gloves could contaminate an experiment!”)
Teacher: "Rule #3: No Eating or Drinking."
Teacher: "Food can mix with chemicals and make you sick. What might happen if you sip soda near an experiment?"
(Acknowledge answers.)
Teacher: "Rule #4: No Horseplay."
Teacher: "Running or goofing around can knock over equipment. How can we ‘keep our science safe’?"
(Expected: “Walk, use an indoor voice.”)
Teacher: "Rule #5: Report Spills Immediately."
Teacher: "If something spills or breaks, telling me right away stops bigger accidents. Why is that important?"
(Allow 1–2 responses.)
Teacher: "Rule #6: Read All Instructions."
Teacher: "Reading every step before you start prevents mistakes. What could happen if you skip a step?"
(Confirm: “You might mix the wrong things.”)
Activity: Scenario Card Challenge (10 minutes)
Teacher: "Time to practice! I’m dividing you into small groups and giving each group a set of Safety Scenario Cards."
Teacher: "In your groups, read each card, discuss which safety rule applies, and be ready to hold up the rule number or name. You have 8 minutes—go!"
(Set the timer and circulate. Prompt groups with questions like, “Why did you choose that rule?” or “How does following that rule keep you safe?”.)
(After 8 minutes, gather attention.)
Teacher: "Let’s debrief. Group 1, which rule did you pick for your first scenario and why?"
(Repeat for 2–3 groups or until key scenarios are covered.)
Practice: Safety Sorting Worksheet (5 minutes)
Teacher: "Great teamwork, heroes! Now, find a seat and take a look at your Lab Safety Sorting Worksheet."
Teacher: "For each action, write ‘Safe’ or ‘Unsafe’ and explain why. You have 5 minutes. Ready? Begin!"
(Walk around to support students. Ask individuals, “Can you tell me why you marked that action unsafe?”)
Wrap-Up & Assessment (2 minutes)
Teacher: "Let’s review our six rules quickly. I’ll point at the poster—shout out the rule!"
• Point to rule #1: "What is rule #1?"
• Point to rule #2: "What is rule #2?"
…continue through rule #6.
Teacher: "Now, tell me one new thing you’ll remember when we do our next experiment."
(Allow 2–3 volunteers.)
Teacher: "Fantastic job, Lab Safety Heroes! Please hand in your worksheets or submit them online. We’re ready for safe and brilliant experiments next time!"
Answer Key
Worksheet Answer Key
This key shows the correct Safe or Unsafe designation for each action on the Lab Safety Sorting Worksheet, along with the reasoning (step-by-step thought process) based on our six lab safety rules.
1. Putting on safety goggles before starting an experiment.
Answer: Safe
Reasoning: Rule 1 says to wear goggles to protect your eyes from splashes or flying particles. Putting them on before you begin follows the rule exactly.
2. Drinking soda at your lab station.
Answer: Unsafe
Reasoning: Rule 3 prohibits eating or drinking in the lab. A beverage could mix with chemicals and cause contamination, spills, or sickness.
3. Reading all instructions before beginning.
Answer: Safe
Reasoning: Rule 6 directs students to read every step before starting. Understanding the procedure prevents mistakes and keeps everyone safe.
4. Leaving a chemical spill on the table without telling the teacher.
Answer: Unsafe
Reasoning: Rule 5 requires reporting spills immediately. Unreported spills can lead to slips, chemical exposure, or equipment damage.
5. Wearing gloves when handling unknown substances.
Answer: Safe
Reasoning: Rule 2 directs the use of gloves to protect hands from harmful chemicals and to keep experiments uncontaminated.
6. Running around or horseplay near lab equipment.
Answer: Unsafe
Reasoning: Rule 4 forbids horseplay. Rough behavior can tip over glassware or cause accidents.
7. Tying back long hair and securing loose clothing.
Answer: Safe
Reasoning: Although not one of the six “poster” rules, this best practice prevents hair or clothing from catching on fire, getting into chemicals, or pulling equipment over.
8. Touching a hot beaker with bare hands.
Answer: Unsafe
Reasoning: Direct contact with hot equipment causes burns. Instead, students should use tongs or heat-resistant gloves (applies the spirit of Rules 1 & 2—personal protection).
9. Washing your hands after completing the experiment.
Answer: Safe
Reasoning: Good lab hygiene removes residues and reduces the chance of accidental exposure. This follows overall lab-safety principles.
10. Reporting broken glass or cracked equipment immediately.
Answer: Safe
Reasoning: Rule 5 covers reporting spills or broken equipment right away. This prevents cuts and further accidents.
Reflection Sample Answer
Choose one unsafe action from above. Explain why it is unsafe and what you should do instead.
Selected Action: Leaving a chemical spill on the table without telling the teacher (Question 4)
Why it is unsafe: An unreported spill can cause someone to slip or touch a harmful chemical, leading to injury or contamination.
What to do instead: Tell the teacher immediately so they can clean the spill safely with the right supplies and protect everyone in the lab.
Use this answer key to guide grading or to discuss correct reasoning with students.