Model 1 – Laboratory Attire
This student is dressed inappropriately This student is dressed appropriately
for laboratory work. for laboratory work.
3. Look at the two students in the model above.
a. List at least three inappropriate items of dress for the student on the left.
b. List at least three appropriate items of dress for the student on the right.
4. Why wear goggles while working with chemicals and glassware?
5. When working with a Bunsen burner what precautions should be taken with respect to your
clothing and hair?
6. Why should one avoid wearing shorts or skirts while working with chemicals and with glassware?
7. What type of shoes should a student wear while working with chemicals and with glassware?
8. If an accident occurred in the laboratory, which of the two students in the model would have
protection provided by their clothing? Why?
2 POGIL™ Activities for High School Chemistry
Model 2 – Scenes in the Lab
1 2 3 4
5 6 7 8
9 10 11 12
9. Complete the table below using the pictures in Model 2.
Scene Potential Concern Proper Safe Behavior
1
2 Broken or chipped glassware
3
4
5 Bacteria growing in an open Petri dish—
could spread to other areas.
6
7
8 Dispose of waste in designated locations.
9 Hot plate turned on, could cause burns.
10 Dispose of used scalpel blades in a sharps
container; put all scissors away when fin-
ished.
11
12
Safety First 3
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Communication with your teacher in the laboratory can also help prevent accidents or injuries to yourself
and others. For example, you should always tell your teacher if you spill something or are cut or injured
when performing an experiment. You should also alert your teacher if any equipment or glassware is
broken. Your teacher can provide Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS), which contain safety information
about chemicals you may come in contact with in the laboratory. Chemicals should be disposed of safely,
as directed by your teacher. Do not dump chemicals into the sink or trash.
10. Suppose you spill a chemical on yourself:
a. What information can your teacher provide for you concerning that chemical?
b. Where is the information located?
11. Why is it important to let your teacher know if you cut, burn or injure yourself when performing
an experiment?
12. Why should you tell your teacher if any equipment or glassware is broken?
13. Why should you never perform unauthorized experiments or ignore written directions for an
experiment?
14. Your teacher asks your group to create a list of ten rules that everyone must follow in the labora-
tory. What rules would your group include? After developing a list, send a representative from
your table to another group to compare responses.
4 POGIL™ Activities for High School Chemistry
