We are about to start a new year, and for science teachers, it’s another chance to make (and break) some resolutions.
Here are a few of my favorites based on real teacher and student lab experiences that should help you avoid a few headaches:
- I resolve to check with the school maintenance crew before setting up my outdoor experiment—only to have it mowed under.
- I resolve to rebuild a relationship with our school maintenance engineer by promising not to let students shred bars of soap to study properties of matter (and ultimately to study lack of floor friction).
- I resolve to rebuild a relationship with our school maintenance engineer by promising to keep the cockroach terrarium lid securely fastened throughout all of our entomology unit.
- I resolve to protect the lab ceiling by not turning my back on students doing labs.
- I resolve to have clear lab instructions to keep my students from trying to read pH paper like a ruler.
- I resolve to position the class pyromaniacs within direct lines of sight during labs and in close proximity to the fire extinguisher.
- I resolve to remember that spilling chemicals on writing instruments makes them unsuitable for chewing.
Have a fabulous New Year from the entire HMH Science team! Be sure to join our HMH Science Facebook page to support your fellow teachers in all your resolutions.
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Learn more about HMH’s K–12 science programs, which are designed to encourage student-directed learning and deeper understanding of concepts.
This blog, originally published in 2019, has been updated for 2024.
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