TX PACT science 4-8 Domain I & II- Scientific Instruction & Scientific process 2023/2024

TX PACT science 4-8 Domain I & II- Scientific Instruction & Scientific processScience in the elementary classroom provides an opportunity for students to investigate the natural world, both in the classroom and outdoors. The methods of inquiry require proper planning and implementation of these investigations. The safe use of tools, materials, and equipment is a primary focus. Teaching laboratory safety standards to students prior to participation in any investigation is required, as is providing them with information regarding proper safety rules and procedures for the science classroom. - correct answer Some common safety practices to teach include: Never put chemicals back into the container to avoid contamination Properly dispose of excess chemicals in liquid waste bottles. Always wear safety goggles when working with glass, chemicals, or fire Wash hands before and after experiments Direct the openings of containers away from faces Never use/touch chipped or broken glass Do not eat or drink in the lab Never directly smell chemicals; instead, waft the air toward the face Do not taste chemicals Keep water and objects away from electrical outlets Always notify the teacher in the case of a spill or accident. Chemical labels provide appropriate handling, disposal, care, and storage procedures. - correct answer Teachers should keep a physical or digital copy of the Material Safety Data Sheet for each chemical or substance used in the classroom. Safety symbols and their meanings should be taught. Common safety equipment to have in a classroom: - correct answer First aid kit - treat minor injuries Fire extinguisher - put out flames on materials Fire blanket - put out flames on a person Goggles - protect eyes when using glassware or chemicals Fume hood - pulls chemical gasses up and away from people Body shower / Safety shower - wash chemical spills off a person Eyewash station - wash chemicals out of a person's eye Labeling Samples It is best practice to label all chemicals as follows: - correct answer 1. The compound name, written out in words 2. Who made the sample 3. The date the sample was made Hazards associated with the material Proper Handling of Specimens - correct answer When caring for and handling specimens and organisms, students should follow ethical and safety procedures and handle animals only when necessary. Classroom animals must meet safety requirements such as not being toxic or causing a danger to students. Classroom pet cages should be cleaned regularly with household bleach. Teachers should check for any students having allergies before choosing a classroom pet. Students should be taught to wash hands before and after any activity involving plants, animals, or soil. All microorganisms should be treated as pathogens. Disposal of non-carcinogenic or non-corrosive contaminants should be in a double-layered plastic bag and fastened securely with a wire tie. Proper Tool Use Students should choose the appropriate equipment to use in instructional activities. Some examples of appropriate equipment include: - correct answer a beaker, graduated cylinder, pipette, or Erlenmeyer flask to measure volume a metric ruler, meter stick, or metric tape measure to measure length a balance to measure mass a scale to measure weight a Celsius thermometer to measure temperature a stopwatch to measure time a computer to record data digitally teachers and students should understand that the use of a tool unsuitable to the task or improper tool use can cause inaccurate readings and corrupt data. For example, it is more accurate to use a graduated cylinder and water to take the volume of an irregularly-shaped object, rather than using a metric ruler to measure each dimension. Students should know the proper names and uses of laboratory tools, materials, and equipment including goggles, hand lenses, balances, magnets, timing devices, weather instruments, thermometers, rulers, beakers, spring scales, hot plate, test tubes, meter sticks, compasses, and microscopes. - correct answer Many tools need to be handled carefully to avoid damage. For example, microscopes should always be carried with two hands, with one hand on the base on one hand on the neck. Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) - correct answer a standardized information sheet for a substance; includes information about health risks, safe disposal and cleanup of spills, and environmental risks Waft - correct answer Wave the air toward the face. The safe way to smell a test tube. When students are conducting an experiment or investigation using glassware, which of the following is the most important piece of safety equipment for them to use? - correct answer Goggles would be the most important piece of safety equipment because of the potential for glass breaking and hurting the students' eyes. When examining the color and clarity of 1 gram of sugar in 30 milliliters of water, which of the following would be the best substitute for a test tube? - correct answer Graduated cylinders tend to be narrower than beakers and designed for accurately measuring small amounts of liquid. When is the best time to teach lab safety rules? - correct answer immediately before the students begin an experiment- Reminding students immediately before they begin using equipment is the best time because they can better remember and apply the specific safety rules to the specific equipment used during the experiment. Which of the following is a safe laboratory procedure? - correct answer Fume hoods are designed to increase airflow to remove fumes and protect any lab occupant from inhaling them. Volatile compounds are those that have a high vapor pressure at room temperature, which leads to their evaporation or sublimation into the gas phase. Many volatile compounds are quite toxic and can produce long-lasting health effects.