In-person, online, or a hybrid classroom for the 2020-21 school year, there’s no one right way to approach teaching science. But for all methods, safety should be the first priority along with helping students engage in the scientific process and relate the lessons to the real world.
In the edLeader Panel “Teaching Science and STEM in a COVID World Fully and Safely—Whatever the Learning Approach,” Dr. Mike Marvel, chief scientist at Flinn Scientific, and James Palcik, director of Education, Safety, and Compliance at Flinn Scientific, helped teachers prepare for the fall by answering the key questions they’ve received about teaching science in a COVID world.
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First, many teachers ask them about how new safety and hygiene regimens could affect classroom experiments as they’re teaching science and STEM.
1. Do I need to sanitize everything before and after each class?
Yes. All teachers should follow the guidance provided by their government and Department of Education. However, Palcik said that a common thread is setting up a rigorous cleaning schedule for everything from aprons and safety goggles to Bunsen burners and hot plates.
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