There is extensive agreement within the science profession that the "hands-on, minds-on" approach to teaching and learning described within the National Science Education Standards creates a more effective learning environment. However, inquiry poses serious safety challenges for teachers and students in poorly equipped or maintained facilities and where safety training is deficient or nonexistent. The authors have designed a three-year study—the National School Science Safety Indexing Project—to develop a science safety indexing system to evaluate facilities and safety practices.