STEM classrooms are filled with energy, curiosity, and hands-on discovery—but they also contain hazards that must be carefully managed. In this Safer Ed episode, we break down the three main categories of lab hazards—physical, chemical, and biological—and explore strategies teachers can use to identify and control them.

Through practical examples and proven safety methods, the discussion highlights how preparation, judgment, and a culture of responsibility can keep both students and educators safe.

What You’ll Learn in This EpisodeKey

• The three main hazard categories in STEM labs: physical, chemical, and biological.

• Real-world examples of physical risks often overlooked in classrooms.

• How to use Safety Data Sheets (SDS) to understand and manage chemical hazards.

• Why biological hazards—even simple mold collection—require strict controls.

• The three levels of control: engineering controls, administrative controls, and PPE.

• When to use substitution or elimination to reduce risk altogether.

• Why shared responsibility and teacher modeling are central to building a culture of safety.

Key Takeaway

STEM labs can be safe, engaging, and fun—but only when hazards are identified, risks are assessed, and safety measures are applied at every level. Safety isn’t just a rulebook—it’s part of the learning experience.

Resources

• Visit edcircuit.com for more Safer Ed episodes and resources.

• Explore Science Safety training modules to strengthen lab safety practices in your school.

This episode was generated in part using AI tools. All content was reviewed and approved by our editorial team before publication.

Science and STEM labs inspire curiosity, creativity, and discovery, but they also come with real risks if hazards aren’t managed.

In this episode of Safer Ed, we explore how teachers can balance the excitement of hands-on learning with the responsibility of keeping students and staff safe. From outdated equipment and dangerous chemicals to biological hazards and risk assessment strategies, this conversation unpacks practical steps every educator can take to create safer classrooms.

Key Topics Covered:

• Why evaluating lab activities before they happen is critical

• Common red-flag materials that no longer belong in schools

• The dangers of unmonitored biological samples and unsafe procedures

• The importance of hazard recognition (e.g., poor labeling, unknown substances, outdated equipment)

• The AAA Method: Hazard Analysis, Risk Assessment, Safety Action

• Safety actions: engineering controls, administrative controls, PPE, substitution, and elimination

• Professional responsibility: when and how to intervene with unsafe practices

• Six intentional practices to prevent accidents:

  1. Review Safety Data Sheets

  2. Inspect all equipment and materials

  3. Review procedures, timing, and waste management

  4. Test unfamiliar experiments beforehand

  5. Substitute safer materials

  6. Weigh educational value against risk

     
     

Why It Matters:
Lab safety isn’t just about avoiding accidents—it’s about building a culture of responsibility and care. When teachers anticipate hazards, assess risks, and take intentional safety actions, students gain the full benefits of hands-on STEM exploration in a safe environment.

Call to Action:
For more resources on creating safer classrooms and lab spaces, visit ScienceSafety.com.

This episode was generated in part using AI tools. All content was reviewed and approved by our editorial team before publication.

In this Safer Ed episode, we continue our series on safety and inclusion in STEM classrooms by exploring universal design and hazard analysis. Instead of reacting to student needs after the fact, universal design ensures that classrooms and labs are accessible, safe, and effective from the very beginning.

Through this conversation, we highlight how proactive planning not only reduces safety risks but also empowers students with additional needs to thrive alongside their peers.

What You’ll Learn in This EpisodeKey Takeaway

• Why universal design matters in STEM classrooms.

• How building accessibility into labs from the start reduces risks and supports all learners.

• Practical examples, such as adjustable lab workstations and multi-format instructions.

• The importance of hazard analysis and risk assessment for every lab activity.

• Why individualized safety planning—from specialized equipment to additional supervision—is essential.

• The role of administrative support in funding resources, staffing, and training.

• How trust and collaboration among teachers, families, and administrators creates safer, more inclusive learning environments.

Inclusion isn’t just a philosophy—it’s a safety practice. Universal design and hazard analysis build classrooms where every student can engage confidently and safely in science and STEM.

Resources

• Visit edcircuit.com for more Safer Ed episodes and resources.

• Listen on your favorite podcast platform.

  
  

This episode was generated in part using AI tools. All content was reviewed and approved by our editorial team before publication.

In this two-part Safer Ed series, we explore how to make science and STEM classrooms both safer and more inclusive for students with additional needs.

In Part 1, we focus on:

• Why safety for students with additional needs starts before the lab bench.

• The wide range of additional needs—physical, cognitive, social-emotional, and temporary—and why no two students are alike.

• The role of Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) in creating collaborative safety and learning strategies.

• The difference between accommodations (adjusting the path) and modifications (adjusting the destination).

• How flexible, hands-on STEM projects can be scaled to support every learner.

• Why inclusion and safety go hand in hand, and how outdated mindsets can be replaced with confidence and accessibility.

This episode emphasizes that the first layer of lab safety is access. When students with additional needs are excluded, they are not only left out of learning but also placed at higher risk. Inclusion ensures that safety becomes a shared responsibility in the classroom.

Stay tuned for Part 2, where we dive into universal design and hazard analysis—tools that help educators proactively build safety into every STEM environment.

Resources & Links:

• Explore the free Safer Ed module on Students with Additional Needs → https://sciencesafety.com/product/students-with-additional-needs-an-introduction/

• Learn more about school science safety →

  ⁠⁠https://sciencesafety.com⁠⁠

This episode was generated in part using AI tools. All content was reviewed and approved by our editorial team before publication

Nearly 40% of school lab accidents could be prevented with simple start-of-year inspections.

In this episode of Safer Ed, we dive into practical steps schools can take to make science labs, makerspaces, and art rooms safe before the first project begins.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why the first weeks of school are the riskiest for lab accidents

• Four essential steps for starting the school year safely:

  1. Preparing instructional spaces

  2. Inspect equipment and PPE

  3. Conduct hazard and risk assessments

  4. Schedule ongoing maintenance

• How safety routines build student trust and engagement

• Quick, actionable tips to integrate safety into daily practice

  
  

Why It Matters:
Safety isn’t extra work—it’s part of teaching. By modeling safe behavior, educators prepare students for success both in class and beyond.

Resources & Links:

• Explore free Safer Ed modules → ⁠https://sciencesafety.com/free-science-safety-steam-safety-and-cte-safety-modules/⁠

• Learn more about school science safety →

  ⁠https://sciencesafety.com⁠

This episode was generated in part using AI tools. All content was reviewed and approved by our editorial team before publication.

In this episode of Safer Ed, we are joined by Dr. Tyler Love, who discusses safety in Career Technical Education (CTE) programs and STEAM careers.

The conversation begins by discussing Tyler’s role in the career technical world and the challenges of implementing safety standards in CTE environments. Tyler has conducted research and worked with teachers nationwide to train and develop them to lead CTE programs.

The episode ends with a discussion on defining comprehensive safety training and its impact on incident rates in the classroom. Learn more about the participants below.

About the participants:

Dr. Tyler Love has been a Professor at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore since January 2023. He formerly held Associate and Assistant Professor roles at the University of Maryland, Eastern Shore, from 2015-2018 and was the Program Coordinator for Technology and Engineering Education. He was awarded and recognized as the CareerSafe Educator of the Year for 2018 by the ACTE. He is an OSHA Certified Trainer for General Industry and a member of the Safety Advisory Board for the NSTA (National Science Teaching Association). He has won multiple awards from ITEEA and TEEAP, among others, related to safety, STEM, lab design, CTE, Makerspaces, and Engineering education. Received a Robert Noyce Grant from the National Science Foundation in 2022. Author of many journal articles and surveys as well as over four publications designed to enhance teacher and student learning in STEM, CTE, and Science education environments.

Watch this episode of SaferEd on edCircuit.

This episode was generated in part using AI tools. All content was reviewed and approved by our editorial team before publication.

For this episode, special guests Anne Brown and Tobin Novasio join edCircuit host Tina Byland to discuss mental health awareness. This episode explores how schools and outside organizations can support students' mental health inside and outside of the school.

The conversation begins by defining youth mental health and its impact on students' learning and development. Both guests explore the need for a multi-tiered approach to address student mental health inside and outside of the school. Within the school, the school plays a role in being a regulatory and supportive environment. Outside of school, it is important to recognize the importance of mental health, giving students access to the same care for mental health as they do for their physical health.

In the second part of the episode, the trio focuses on eliminating the stigma of mental health. There is still a stigma attached to mental health, affecting everyone in the school building, including staff. The hope of many K12 leaders is that when schools increase their investment in student mental health, the conversation will open doors and reduce stigma concerning staff and teacher mental health.

The episode ends with a discussion on creating environments and cultures of support. Particularly how essential it is to establish mental health resources for students and communicate accessibility to their support networks.

About the participants:

Anne Brown has decades of experience as a public school teacher and an Ed Tech Executive. Before joining the Cook Center for Human Connection, Anne worked for several organizations, including Salt Lake City School District, Pearson, and Waterford.org. Anne is thrilled to join Greg and Julie Cook to deliver critical programs, partnerships, research, and policy to impact suicide prevention and mental health programs.

Tobin Novasio is the Superintendent of Lockwood Schools in Lockwood, Montana. Mr. Novasio is the Montana Rural Education Association Vice-President and sits on the AASA Executive Committee. He is the former Montana Association of School Superintendents President. His peers honored him as the Montana Superintendent of the Year in 2016 and as the School Administrators of Montana 2020 G.V. Erickson Award recipient. Mr. Novasio represents Montana’s K-12 schools on the Montana Early Childhood Advisory Council.

Watch this episode of SaferEd on edCircuit.

This episode was generated in part using AI tools. All content was reviewed and approved by our editorial team before publication.

In this episode of Safer Ed, Dr. Chad Stevens joins us to discuss 21st Century School and home communication in K12 education.

In the second part of the episode, Dr. Stevens focuses on the security and privacy of information and technology in schools. When implementing tools for security and privacy, Dr. Stevens shares that there are three critical components to program success: people, process, and technology. Dr. Stevens mentions a particularly successful resource for administrators selecting consistent vendors is the K-12CVAT: K-12 Community Vendor Assessment Tool by CoSN which standardizes vendor research.

The episode ends with a discussion on Dr. Stevens’ role as a leader in the K12 and EdTech communities and the future of technology, safety, and communication.

About the participant:

Dr. Chad Stevens has dedicated his career to improving education outcomes for all students, and he continues to do so as the Chief Strategy Officer at ParentSquare. He was recently named a Top 100 Influencer in EdTech by EdTech Digest. Before ParentSquare, Chad was the Leader of K-12 Education at Amazon Web Services, building their initial K-12 business, and Chief Education Strategist for CDW-G. Chad serves on the Board of CoSN and is the Board Chair of the Indian Prairie Education Foundation.

Watch this episode of SaferEd on edCircuit.

This episode was generated in part using AI tools. All content was reviewed and approved by our editorial team before publication.