Questions and discussions about safety are often seen in the NSTA e-mail listserves and discussion forums. Each month, columns on safety in the science classroom/lab are featured in NSTA’s Science Scope (Scope on Safety) and The Science Teacher (Safer Science), with occasional articles in Science and Children (Safety First). These columns are written by Ken Roy, Director of Environmental Health and Safety for Glastonbury Public Schools in Glastonbury, CT, and NSTA’s Science Safety Compliance Consultant.

These are must-reads for K-12 science teachers and school administrators, regardless of what grade level or science course you teach. And NSTA members have online access to them, regardless of which print journal you receive.

The 2015-16 columns speak to a variety of safety concerns:

• Safety in Science Instruction –  A discussion of NSTA’s position paper on “Safety and School Science Instruction”  (TST 2/16)
• Safety Acknowledgment Form for Earth and Space Science – Customize the acknowledgment form for different subjects
• Making the Grade on Safety – The value of lab safety assessments for students at the beginning of (and during) the year (SS 3/16)
• Preventing Allergic Reactions – Preventing and dealing with allergies in the classroom (S&C 12/15)
• Creating Latex-Safe Classrooms – Allergic reaction to latex materials (SS 4/16)
• Safety Picks Up “STEAM” – Considerations for engineering activities (S&C 2/16)
• Wired for Safety – Using electricity in science classrooms (SS 12/15) 
• Don’t Bench Lab Safety – Suggestions for purchasing lab furniture (SS 11/15)
• Detoxing the Lab – Reduce risks of toxic substances in the classroom/lab (SS 9/15)
• Safer Science Kits – What to consider when adopting/using science kits (SS 10/15) 
• Safety: Food for Thought – Food in the lab and other issues of cross-contamination (SS 7/15)
• Eyeing Safety  (SS 2/16)
• Safer Science Outside the Classroom – What to consider when planning field trips or outdoor classes (SS 1/16)
• Safety in the Field – What to consider when planning field trips (TST 10/15)
• A Healthier Science Class – Preventing chemical hazards (TST 12/15) 
• Handling Hazardous Waste (TST 9/15)
• Heightened Risks – Hazards when conducting activities on ladders, platforms, rooftops (TST 7/15)
• Preventing Alcohol-Based Laboratory Fires (TST 4/16)
• Safer Use of Toxic Chemicals (TST 3/16)
• Safer Reproductive Health in Science Labs – Protecting the health of students (and teachers). (TST 1/16)

Each month, Scope on Safety also includes a Q&A on a safety-related issue. If you’re looking for a science department discussion topic, choose an article relevant to your situation. For more on safety topics, go to NSTA’s SciLinks and use “safety” as the keyword.