Ward's World Activity Guides

Map Your Science Classroom for Safety Teacher Guide + ward ' s science Help students learn where essential safety equipment and exits are located, then apply that knowledge by creating a clear, usable map of the room. Teacher Safety Note: • Before the activity, review your school's emergency procedures and demonstrate equipment only as permitted by local policy. Students should report any incident immediately, follow the teacher's directions, and never activate or handle emergency equipment during the scavenger hunt. ! Learning Objectives: • Identify the location of available safety equipment and primary and alternate exits • Explain why quick access to safety equipment and clear evacuation routes matter • Create a legible map using labels, symbols, landmarks, and a legend • Strengthen shared responsibility for a safe science classroom Before Class: • Customize the equipment checklist to match your classroom and school safety plan • Confirm that exits and safety equipment are visible, accessible, and clearly identified • Decide whether students will use the worksheet map space, graph paper, or a digital drawing tool • Determine whether color, rulers, or preapproved map symbols may be used Suggested Activity Sequence: 1. Conduct a Safety Tour Point out the room's primary and alternate exits and each item of safety equipment. Briefly review its purpose and the procedure students should follow if an incident occurs. 2. Explain the Mapping Task Ask students to draw the room from a top-down perspective. Their maps should include enough fixed landmarks, such as doors, lab tables, sinks, the teacher station, and storage areas, to make each safety feature easy to locate. 3. Create the Map Students label each item either directly or using symbols defined in a legend. Encourage accuracy and readability rather than artistic detail. 4. Check for Usability Have students compare their map with the checklist and confirm that another person could follow it without additional instructions. 5. Reflect and Discuss Use the reflection questions to reinforce appropriate emergency responses and the importance of following the teacher's directions and the school safety plan. Recommended Level Topic Time High school; adaptable for middle school Laboratory safety and safety culture One class period Activity Overview: A safety tour is an important first step, but students are more likely to remember equipment locations when they actively process and record them. In this activity, students create a top-down map that identifies exits, safety equipment, and recognizable classroom landmarks. The finished map should be detailed enough for a new student, substitute teacher, or visitor to use.

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